A fourth consecutive clean sheet was the just, if slightly unexpected, reward for some heroically desperate defending that prevented Notts County from converting long periods of pressure and many half-chances into some tangible. Kevin Dillon, though, was left disappointed that The Shots didn’t snatch all three points from one of several dangerous counter-attacks. Statistically, County dominated a full-blooded encounter, but, with a performance full of resolve and commitment, Aldershot deserved parity. They might even have taken an early lead, had Morgan not been adjudged offside in breaking through the Magpies’ defence; Soares appeared the more likely offender, but remained inactive as Morgan finished well. Thereafter, County did everything but score as The Shots soaked up waves of pressure. Yet, apart from a superb save from Jaimez-Ruiz, tipping Hughes’s strong downward header over the bar, they were restricted to snapshots and long-range efforts In response, Schmeichel parried Donnelly’s deflected shot at the end of a mazy run and, on the hour, Hudson sent an angled drive flying into the side-netting. Jaimez-Ruiz made two further excellent saves, to deny Rodgers and Clapham, but the game became truly stretched in the final 30 minutes and Morgan’s glancing header, from Donnelly’s cross, had Schmeichel scrambling. Donnelly’s chest blocked Hughes’s free header on the line, and a breathless finale could have seen either side steal victory. Ultimately, though, over 550 vociferous Shots fans were able to salute a fine result. Their team may be without a League win in five games, but in the circumstances this felt like so much more than stalemate.
Through the wind and rain, and from the midst of a tough, tumultuous battle, Aldershot Town emerged with a hugely impressive point.