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Next Game: Banbury Away On Friday March 29th Kick-Off 3.00pm

Monday, December 31, 2007

McParland: "Relegation Battle"

Notts County manager Ian McParland has admitted that his side are in a relegation battle with just half the season gone.

The pre-season play-off contenders have earned just five points from their last eight games, and McParland has admitted that aspirations of a high finish are beyond his side: "The Christmas fixtures have not been kind to us with Rotherham coming on the back of MK Dons and they were too good for us.

"We're involved in the relegation battle now and although some people expected us to be pushing for a top six place, they have to get real and recognise that we do not have a magic wand."

Veteran goalkeeper Kevin Pilkington, who was credited with keeping the score down against both MK Dons and Rotherham, has spoken of the need to give a better performance at Edgar Street: "We've got to head down to Hereford now and roll the sleeves up; we need to get a result. We owe ourselves a performance to be honest, and we have to do a lot better.

"It is important we get something from Hereford given our recent results, and three points would be tremendous. The fans are disappointed and they are entitled to their opinion, because they pay their hard earned money to watch us - and we must put in some performances for them and get results and climb the table sharpish."

The Magpies have completed the signing of free agent Guy Branston on an initial one month contract. The former Peterboro defender, released earlier in December, is not available for tomorrow's match according to the Magpies.