Saturday May 1st 

JUST A POINT AS NOTTS SIGN OFF

ATTENDANCE: 18,002

Match Report from the Football Post.
By Albert Stapleton at Meadow Lane

TONY HATELEY (photo) scored his all-important 100th goal for Notts. County against Exeter City in the final Division IV game this afternoon but the Devon club levelled matters just on half- time through Joe Gadston. Exeter surprised Notts with some good midfield work although the home side did not always make the best use of their chances and Hateley missed at least two in the first half. After the festivity is was Exeter who made the running in the early stages with Stubbs conceding a corner in tackling Gladston. The flag kick was missed by both Wingate and Morris and then the Devon side came again to gain a second corner, this time out on the left, but it created no danger. Watling had to make a fine sate from Banks but after 13 minutes Notts went in front with the goal that the crowd had been waiting for for several weeks. It was scored by HATELEY his hundredth in League and Cup for the Magpies and his 200th goal in League football. It was a splendid effort for, while the ball bounced awk wardly first of all for Bradd, went on to Hateley who volleyed it past Wilson with tremendous power. Minutes after Hateley's goal, Nixon put across a powerful centre and the pace of the ball floored Needham as he tried to head in and the ball ran out of play. Barker was penalised for tackling Masson from behind and Wilson had to come out to collect the free kick. Then when Brindley crossed the ball well, it was a timely clearance by Balson that averted trouble again for Exeter. However, they defended parti cularly well on a number of occasions although at this stage of the game Notts, were looking far more accurate in their movements than the Devon side. Exeter came into the game with one or two neat moves but once again Gadston was well off the mark with a shot from just outside the penalty box and at the other end Hateley hit his effort far too high. Hateley figured in a third move in as many minutes but this time was was outnumbered and Exeter breathed again after this series of escapes. In a determined Exeter raid Parker almost forced the ball through and then Banks caused a bit of trouble before Stubbs made a fine late tackle on Gadston.

Bradd, receiving from Nixon, hit his shot too high and then Wilson collected a ball from Brindley as Notts. went into the attack again. Exeter's midfield work was quite good with Parker particularly prominent but when it Came to finishing they were up azainst a strong rearguard in which Needham and Stubbs worked well Masson instigated several good moves and Wilson was kept busy but he was not seriously troubled and dealt competently with crosses from both wings Right on the half time whistle Stubbs and Needham collided as they went for the ball, in possession of Banks, and when Watling came racing out, Banks put the ball to GADSTON who had no difficulty in equalising from a few yards out. It was a clear mistake by the Magpies defence for although Exeter had looked exceptionally neat in midfield they had posed few threats at goal.

HALF-TIME:
NOTTS COUNTY 1 EXETER CITY 1

Twice Wilson collected the ball well and then Exeter hit back strongly for Gadston to crash the ball against the bar from about 25 yards range. The crowd began to urge the Magpies forward and after bringing the ball down well Hateley struck the bar while a minute later Wilson came out to collect from Masson. In the next Notts, raid Masson was adjudged offside and at this stage of the game, play from both sides was tremendously exciting with Exeter challenging the champions strongly. Notts were a little frustrating and after making headway towards the Exeter goal, lost their opportunities through too many passes. In the 60th minute the visitors almost went in front when Watling was forced to make a fine save from Binney. At the same time Parker, who had been injured earlier limped off to be replaced by the former Mansfield Town player John Mitten. Notts brought on Barker for Nixon, who was limping, after the game had been in progress 65 minutes but Exeter still conti nued to play doggedly and Notts could make little headway. Wilson collected a highball from Worthington as he was challenged by Hateley, but Exeter, in addition to breaking out quickly, were also defending well.

Notts gained two free-kicks, one an indirect effort but each time Exeter managed to clear the ball and then in another raid Crickmore was penalised for charging Wilson. The game had lost a little of its early sparkle and at one stage there was a slight burst of slow hand clapping. Credit to the Exeter defence however for they played well, with Balson outstanding. Hateley had a great chance of regaining the lead when the ball was chipped into the middle for him but he tried to put it over Wilson as the goalkeeper raced out and Wilson caught the ball safely. A minute later Hateley chased another loose ball and this time gained a right wing corner. but once again Wilson got the ball to safety. Exeter were under severe pressure as Notts. gained two successive corners and from the second Hateley headed just wide of the post. Just previously Wilson had collected a high ball from Worthington. Notts made an appeal for a penalty when Bradd was brought down by Morris but the referee gave the Magpies a corner kick instead. Bradd almost headed in from the corner but Jim Giles cleared the ball off the line for a second corner. This time when the ball was only partially cleared and with Notts. putting on all pres- sure Brindley put the ball over the bar.

Notts finished undefeated at home this season. After the match the Division 4 championship trophy was presented to Notts County captain Don Masson by Mr David Wiseman, vice-chairman of Birming ham City and a senior member of the Football League Management Committee.

RESULT:
NOTTS COUNTY 1-1 EXETER CITY

NOTTS C,
Watling; Brindley, Worthington; Daxes, Needham, Stubbs; Nixon(Barker), Bradd, Hateley, Masson Crickmore,
EXETER CITY 1,
Wilson; Crawford, Morris; Parker, Giles (Jim)Balson; Wingate, Banks, Gadston, Binney, Giles(John),

Scorers
Notts C Hateley.
Exeter City Gadston,

Attendance 18,002,