YOU'VE GOT AN ARD TASK AHEAD OF YOU

MIDWEEK ROUND-UP

- Jon Couch

AXED Neal Ardley left Notts County with a parting shot on Tuesday night – insisting the promotion hopefuls must polish up their act if the club are to realise their dream of returning to the Football League.

Ardley’s Magpies battled back from 2-0 down for the second midweek running to earn a precious point at Yeovil Town and just about stay in touch with the National League’s leading pack.

But it wasn’t enough to save the former Wimbledon and Watford midfielder his job following a shock announcement the following day.

Goals in the final 12 minutes from Enzio Boldewijn and Ruben Rodrigues ensured a repeat of last week’s late fightback at Boreham Wood, but on a night where the top four sides all won to increase the gap further on the sixth-placed Magpies, Ardley warned they must improve their game management if they are to keep the dream alive.

“I’m a bit flat to be honest,” said Ardley, in his last interview before the axe was wielded on Wednesday. “I know it’s brilliant that we’ve come back again but we shouldn’t have been in that position in the first place.

Derby honours