'We’ll be full steam ahead to attack Chesterfield' promises Notts County chief

A final-day draw at home to Bristol Rovers on Saturday wasn’t enough to stop Cambridge United taking the final automatic spot and a ticket to League One.

The Magpies had to settle for fifth, one place and one point ahead of the Spireites.

Head coach Martin Paterson said: “On reflection, I’m gutted we didn’t go up automatically but there’s another opportunity and we have to be positive.

"We have to iron out the chinks and the creases I see and then full steam ahead.

"It doesn’t matter to me who we play next. I have no preference. We have to be us and and play well regardless of who the opposition is.

"We’ll rest, prepare and then we’ll be full steam ahead to attack Chesterfield."

Like the Spireites, County can point to a season-on-season improvement.

Their tally of 80 points was eight more than last year when they finished one place lower and eventually lost to AFC Wimbledon in the play-off semi-final.

That failure cost manager Stuart Maynard his job and paved the way for Paterson’s appointment.

"If you’d said to me when I walked through this door that we’d have been sat here disappointed with 80 points it would have been an interesting conversation,” said the 38-year-old.

"Over the season I’m pleased with the way the players have applied themselves but I think we can do better. We can do so much more.”

Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Bristol Rovers was watched by 16,500 spectators and Paterson is disappointed not to have sent the supporters home with a win.

He added: "Play-offs are unpredictable and the game was probably a good game of preparation for it.

"It's not going to be easy. There will be moments in the play-offs where it will be messy but we have to deal with that a little bit better.

"If the supporters back us and we play like we did in the first half then we will be in a good spot.”