Notts County boss Martin Paterson looking for more after draw with Harrogate

Martin Paterson praised Notts County’s character but is looking for plenty of improvement from his squad after being held to a 1-1 draw by League Two strugglers Harrogate.

County kicked off on the back of four wins from their past five league matches, while the visitors arrived contemplating a possible sixth straight defeat.

But a resilient defensive display, combined with Tom Cursons scoring Harrogate’s first-ever EFL goal at Meadow Lane, looked set to inflict a first home league defeat on the Magpies since August, until Matthew Dennis’ added-time penalty earned a point.

“We weren’t quite ourselves in the first half, we weren’t at it,” said Paterson, whose side dropped out of the automatic promotion places on goal difference.

“We still had chances, but I had to make a change at half-time to bring us to life a little bit.

“It’s just one of those weird things in football where you have a couple who are just not quite at their levels.

“I thought second half, we looked ourselves, created numerous opportunities, and there was a positive in terms of character and showing how much we wanted to get back into the game.

“But there’s also a recognition that we can’t do that in the first half. We can’t come off our levels.

“The levels have been good, so I’ve got to be careful I don’t be too down on them, but I certainly will be working Monday morning to get things better here. And I think we can improve still, no end.”

Despite ending their run of defeats, Harrogate boss Simon Weaver was frustrated at the spot-kick which denied them their first league win since September.

“We were up against it in the second half,” he said. “The momentum was gaining with decisions going against us.

“I was trying to warn the fourth official, please tell him (referee Scott Oldham) to stay strong, but it wasn’t to be that way.

“I was disappointed that the penalty was awarded, because it felt that he would eventually, with the noise levels, be affected and he did.

“I couldn’t be more proud of the efforts of the players. They’re a bit flat because they came so close to three points, but what they’ve done today is make us proud at the club.”

A combination of injury, suspension and two international call-ups meant Harrogate had just two outfield players on the bench, but Weaver insisted he had no other options.

“There’s no-one in the building. We’ve got one more possibility of adding a player over 21, but EFL rules state it would have to be a free agent,” he added.