Jimmy McNulty feels Stockport deserved more after Notts County draw
A dominant performance still only returned a point for the visitors.
Jimmy McNulty insisted Stockport did not earn the rewards their dominance deserved as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Notts County at Meadow Lane.
McNulty’s side missed a chance to reclaim top spot in League One as Adama Sidibeh came off the bench to cancel out Scott Robertson’s stunning early strike for the hosts.
Stockport are second two points behind leaders Huddersfield after a seventh game unbeaten and head coach McNulty said: “It’s mixed emotions. We know there will be occasions when we don’t take maximum points from a game where we dominate.
“It was a performance worthy of scoring more goals and I want our performances to look like this – we completely dominated. Our football from back to front was stunning at times, exceptionally brave, fun and the way we want to play. I’d very much doubt there was another team in the league today that had as many touches in the opposition’s box as we did.
“Until Adama went down with cramp and we were effectively playing with 10 men, we completely dominated from start to finish. We didn’t have the conviction to match the ability our players have. We’ve had a big travelling week so energy might have been an issue. It’s that moment of power to execute something rather than waiting for it to happen.”
Stockport’s pressure told with nine minutes remaining when Sidibeh was put through by Benony Andresson for the Gambia striker to slide home his first goal of the campaign.
Last season’s beaten play-off finalists fell behind after failing to deal with Nick Tsaroulla’s 11th-minute cross as Conor Grant’s touch teed-up the former Celtic midfielder Robertson to find the top corner from 20 yards.
Four points from consecutive home games against Sheffield Wednesday and Stockport constitutes encouraging progress in their first season back at this level, according to head coach Martin Paterson.
The Magpies are a point above the relegation zone and Paterson said: “It’s a point at home to a team that was top of the league. We’ve got a good home record under me especially and here at Meadow Lane we’ll fight for every point.
“We’re not pleased with giving up the lead but we understand we’re at a new level. There’s always positives and I think Stockport are a good side. They pose you a lot of problems but we did what we’re good at and we caused them problems and nearly scored at the end.
“They’re the best team we’ve played this season so give my lads the credit they deserve. We more than competed and found ways to hurt them as well. The next bit is can we improve to continually take points at this level. I hope these last two matches can be a springboard for us but it’s one game at a time.”