When many supporters left Meadowbank Park after a 3-1 defeat to newly-promoted Dorking Wanderers on September 17, it would have been impossible to think of the journey Notts County would soon embark on.
The Magpies made it a record-equalling 19 games unbeaten in the National League, something last achieved 93 years ago by Horace Henshall, after a 1-0 defeat of FC Halifax Town on Saturday.
While many may not remember that season in 1930, Notts fans are relishing life under Luke Williams as he continues to assert himself as one of the best managers to take the Meadow Lane helm in recent years.
READ MORE: Luke Williams highlights 'fantastic' Notts County display and pivotal moment in Halifax win
Here are the key talking points from the win yesterday.
Pivotal moment
Despite Notts' dominance throughout the entirety of the contest, there were signs of frustration slowly starting to creep in as Halifax continued to ride the wave of pressure coming their way in the first half.
Having had one goal ruled out - Macaulay Langstaff's eighth-minute header - the early signs were there that the Shaymen's defence could be breached.
With chances falling to both Adam Chicksen and Matty Palmer in quick succession, it was clear that Chris Millington's side were content to sit back and allow Notts to try and break them down, taking their time from goal-kicks while also winning the first mind game of the afternoon by making the Magpies kick towards The kop during the first half.
But for all of Halifax's resilience, a moment of fortune for the home side saw Jamie Stott's loose back pass fall into the path of the National League's deadliest finisher.
As Langstaff raced towards goal, those inside Meadow Lane rose from their seats in anticipation for the inevitable to occur, but he did make us wait perhaps a little too long before the ball hit the back of the net, nevertheless, he showed great composure to notch his 23rd goal of the season.
The Notts boss said after the game that Langstaff's opener was the pivotal moment in the contest, coming at a crucial time in the game with Halifax's gameplan working just as they set out to try and frustrate the home side.
The visitors' performance had similarities to their home draws with Boreham Wood, Bromley, and Yeovil, but ultimately the Magpies managed to find a way to pick up three very important points.
Midfield headache
The plethora of attacking midfield options available to Williams must be keeping him up at night.
Finding the right balance of picking what is best for the team while also keeping players happy must be incredibly difficult to perfect, and his decision would not have been made any easier ahead of a trip to Solihull Moors next Tuesday.
Sam Austin and Jim O'Brien were brought into midfield in place of John Bostock and Cedwyn Scott, with Austin especially catching the eye with another dynamic display.
O'Brien also had an impressive game alongside Matty Palmer in midfield, providing that tenacity and work rate that was missing in their last National League encounter with Boreham Wood.
There was also a debut for latest signing Jodi Jones for the final 15 minutes of the game, with the Oxford loanee showing some nice touches during his time on the pitch.
The bench also had the likes of John Bostock and the returning Frank Vincent following his loan spell with Aldershot unable to get on the pitch, while Ed Francis did not even make the matchday squad despite his recent good form.
It shows the strength in depth that Williams has in that position with the right blend of experience and youth, it's just a matter of picking who is the best partnership on that day.
Defensive concern?
While having those midfield options provides Williams with the options to affect the game in the attacking area, the bench against Halifax did look light in terms of defensive options.
Richard Brindley was not named in the matchday squad after the Notts boss hinted at in his post-match assessment of their FA Trophy defeat to Maidstone that the defender was struggling with a minor issue.
Speaking to BBC Radio Nottingham, Williams said: "Brinds is coming back from a small injury but he's doing really well."
With his absence, there was only one option to come off the bench if an injury occurred, a makeshift option in Geraldo Bajrami with his versatility showing he can play in that back three.
That position within the squad in particular has provided cause for concern in terms of defensive reinforcements, and should be an area Notts should look to strengthen whether that is through a loan or buying another player to bolster their defensive options.
Bridging the gap
Ahead of kick-off, the Magpies knew that a win by three goals or more would send them back to the top of the National League, with Wrexham in FA Cup action against Sheffield United on Sunday.
While the score-line did not reflect the dominant nature of the performance, they did manage to give themselves some breathing space from the chasing pack ahead of a tough run of fixtures over the next month.
Chesterfield travelled to in-form Barnet and were on the wrong end of a 3-0 defeat, with reported Spireites target Nicke Kabamba netting a hat-trick against Paul Cook's side.
That allowed a 13-point gap to open up between Notts and Chesterfield, meaning even if the Spireites win their three games in hand, will still be four points behind Williams' side with their eagerly-anticipated clash at the Technique Stadium still to come.
Record-breaking season?
This season has the potential to rewrite the Notts history books, with several records within this squad's grasp as we move closer to the end of the campaign.
Yesterday equalled a 93-year record for the longest unbeaten run in the league, while Langstaff has already broken an individual record by becoming the first player to win back-to-back National League Player of the Month awards for his performances during August and September.
But there are several records not beyond the realms of possibility for this Magpies side.
The Magpies currently sit on 65 points after 28 games, averaging 2.32 points per game, and needing 35 points from their remaining 18 games to better a club record of 99 achieved in Division Three during the 1997/98 season. Mathematically, Notts could accumulate 106 points if they continue to achieve their PPG average.
Williams' free-flowing, possession-based football has also provided many goals, scoring 70 from the opening 28 games of the season which is the joint-highest in the division alongside Wrexham.
Another 38 goals would beat the 63-year record of 107 achieved in the 1959/60 season in Division Four, with Notts' current average of 2.50 goals per game taking them to 115 if they continue their form in front of goal until the end of the season.
The win over the Shaymen also marked a year without defeat at Meadow Lane, and while breaking the records will be considered an achievement the one accolade Williams, his players, and the fans will all want the most, is promotion out of the fifth tier.
READ NEXT:
- Notts County player ratings vs Halifax as Langstaff goal equals club record
- Notts County team news vs Halifax as newest recruit named in matchday squad
- Jodi Jones relishing National League title challenge following Notts County transfer
- Luke Williams identifies another tough month ahead as Notts County fixture list increases
