Notts County hero blasts 'worst' Magpies display amid too nice fear

Notts County hero Mark Stallard offered a damning assessment of their hammering at Torquay United and says it must be used as motivation in their promotion race.

The Magpies were thrashed 5-1 at Plainmoor as they crashed to their worst defeat since relegation to the National League in 2019 in what was a shambolic performance. Head coach Ian Burchnall said his side had let down the 600 travelling supporters who ventured to the Devon coast amid a barrage of criticism on social media.

And former Magpies striker Stallard says none of the players deserved praise for their performance as they prepare to face King's Lynn at Meadow Lane on Good Friday.

"I hope it's a one-off blip as will the players and the manager," Stallard told the Magpie Circle podcast. "It was a horrible performance and I think that's the worst performance I can remember since we were relegated.

"I remember the play-off final which was a poor performance but given the opposition, given everything, Saturday was awful. You can glibly dismiss anything, can't we. We can call it a bad day at the office, which it was, but nobody came out of it with any credit.

"Nobody did themselves any favours. The manner of it was what I didn't like. We got outfought, we got outrun, outworked, out hustled, out everything all over the pitch. It was terrible in that respect for me."

Burchnall admitted that Notts had been unable to match Torquay's intensity which led to accusations that they are sometimes guilty of being too nice away from home. It is not the first time that has been levelled at Notts this season even though they are respected as one of the most attractive sides to watch in the division.

Notts have only lost twice at Meadow Lane this season, but their away form