Ian Burchnall makes 'hugely important' point as Notts County chase down promotion rivals

Ian Burchnall has reiterated the importance of utilising his Notts County squad to the full during the crucial closing stages of the National League campaign.

The Magpies are fifth in the table with four games of the regular season remaining. They are well-placed to secure a play-off place and could yet make a late charge for a top-three spot, which would guarantee a home semi-final.

Since suffering a 5-1 thrashing at Torquay United, Notts have responded with three straight wins, scoring 10 goals in the process. On Tuesday night, they triumphed 3-0 away to relegated Dover Athletic.

Burchnall made four changes to the side that started last weekend's 3-1 victory over Weymouth, with the likes of 20-goal striker Kyle Wootton and on-loan Nottingham Forest midfielder Harry Arter given a breather.

Eli Sam came in for Wootton, who has been hampered by a slight back issue, while Ed Francis started in place of Arter. There were also starts for goalkeeper Sam Slocombe and defender Alex Lacey.

"I think we've got to be a little bit strategic, when you play Tuesday, Saturday, Monday, you know that not everybody is going to get through 90 in all of them, and if you can rest one or two players at the right moment and not lose the balance within the team, it's hugely important for us," said head coach Burchnall.

"What we don't need are any injuries unnecessarily and everyone has come through. Lacey had a bit of cramp but that was nothing big and he'll be fine for the weekend. So everybody came through, 3-0, that's really important."

Burchnall was pleased with the performance of his team at Dover, adding: "I thought we were quite ruthless, and I think we learned a little bit from the Weymouth game, because we were in full control of that