For the first time in 25 years, Notts County will be top of the league on Christmas Day.
Sam Allardyce was the last man in charge of the Magpies to achieve that, with Luke Williams providing the perfect early present for the Notts fans following their 2-0 win over Gateshead.
But the festive spirit continued to be spread into the morning, with the club confirming that the injuries sustained by Adam Chicksen and Macaulay Langstaff were nothing serious and are expected to return "in the very near future".
READ MORE: Notts County boss admits taking risk following Adam Chicksen injury in win over Gateshead
Here are the five key talking points from the Gateshead game...
Decision proves costly
While we have seen officials criticised at the top level of the game with some of the decisions made, last night was once again sole proof as to why referee's need to officiate the game as they see it.
With the implementation of VAR, a rule that has been introduced allows linesman's to delay their flag if they believe a goalscoring opportunity occurs even if they know the player is offside, to allow the play to continue.
But this is the National League. These decisions need to be made on the spot because the technology is not available, and as a consequence saw Macaulay Langstaff pick up a needless injury because play was allowed to continue.
It wasn't the only time this occurred during the evening, with referee Aaron Bannister failing to gain control of the fixture for its entirety, allowing a number of passages of play to continue when there was really no need.
Gateshead were criticised of being slightly too aggressive in their approach to the game, but it was to be expected given the way in which Notts like to play, it was bound to frustrate them and result in that action.
But better protection for the players is needed, with a number of challenges being slightly fortuitus in not resulting in anything more serious for the Magpies players.
In the season of giving, seven cards were given out on the night, with Aaron Nemane receiving the latest for alleged time-wasting when two goals in front.
Aaron Nemane return
After struggling with issues of fatigue in recent weeks, Aaron Nemane's second half performance proved how important he is to this Notts side.
While the returning Frenchman was guilty of failing to attack his man with any conviction during the first half, his late burst which resulted in Ed Francis' opener proved to be the confidence boost he needed.
His ability to take on a man one on one is something he needs to utilise more, and he took note as a weaving run was almost rewarded with a goal, only for his shot to narrowly whistle past the far post late on.
The only negative from his performance was his delivery from wide areas, but given the lack of match sharpness, I am sure that part of his game will return as he ups his minutes in the coming weeks.
With Luke Williams confirming Tobi Adebayo-Rowling's absence was nothing serious, it provides the Notts boss with a tough decision to make ahead of their fixture with Barnet next Tuesday.
Finding a way
With the opening 42 minutes lacking anything of real quality, Notts did what they failed to do against Yeovil in their last home fixture and found a way to score.
An effort from range by Aden Baldwin that sailed into the Haydn Green Stand midway through the first half summed up their display, but one mistake was all it took to find the opening goal.
A mistake in the Gateshead defence allowed Notts to capitalise, with Aaron Nemane's blocked effort dropping to Ed Francis on the edge of the area, whose first time strike breathed a huge sigh of relief for the 5,539 inside Meadow Lane.
While the frustrations of those inside were evident until that point with Notts lacking that expected intensity and carelessness in possession, the Magpies managed to find that clinical edge in what can be described as a professional performance.
Strength in depth
Despite many criticising the strength in depth at Luke Williams' disposal, their fixture against Gateshead proved that their tight-knit squad have the capabilities to perform when changes are made.
With many expecting numerous changes for this weekend's FA Trophy fixture against Chorley, there was an element of surprise when three changes were made ahead of kick-off at Meadow Lane.
But those changes, in particular Sam Austin, showcased the quality of this squad, while also being able to bring a player of John Bostock's calibre off the bench.
Ed Francis returned to the starting line-up for the first time since Notts' win over Eastleigh, netting his first goal of the campaign, taking the total goal-scorers to 13 within their squad, further putting to bed the 'one-man team' stigma surrounding Macaulay Langstaff.
And with those two injuries sustained on Tuesday evening, the squad will be tested more than ever with three fixtures in 11 days at a pivotal point in the National League season.
The likes of Austin, Francis and Kairo Mitchell have a real chance to impress during this period, with the possibility of returning to the first-team fold on a regular basis.
Four points clear
The last man to have the Magpies top at Christmas was Sam Allardyce, so Luke Williams is held in high praise amongst previous Notts managers.
Opening up a four-point gap at the top of the table was crucial following the postponement of Wrexham's fixture with Chesterfield, and Williams' side did so in a professional manner.
From now until the end of January, Notts will play eight times in the league compared to six for Phil Parkinson's side which offers a real chance to widen the gap between them and see how their fellow title challengers react.
But winning those games is easier said than done.
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