Notts County ended the Bank Holiday weekend with arguably their most complete performance in the short tenure of Luke Williams, seeing off Solihull Moors at Meadow Lane on Monday afternoon.
The Magpies could have lived to regret a number of missed opportunities in the first half, but Adam Chicksen spared those blushes when he finished brilliantly in the 65th minute to stretch Notts' unbeaten run to six games at the start of the National League season.
There were a number of impressive performances in a dominant display against a potential play-off rival come the end of the season, with Ruben Rodrigues back to his best after missing their 4-1 win over Halifax Town through illness, and Geraldo Bajrami, who operated in midfield, looking like he had played in that position for years.
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It was also a first clean sheet since their opening day victory over Maidenhead, with Sam Slocombe and the rest of the Notts defence rarely troubled on a comfortable afternoon at Meadow Lane.
Six points in three days is testament to the application of the players and the manager, putting on two different performances in such a short space of time, proving their capabilities of finally making a return to the EFL this season.
Upon reflection, here are five things we learned in their win over Neal Ardley's side.
Bajrami midfield masterclass
After coming on as a substitute against Halifax for Cedwyn Scott, the 22-year-old moved slightly further forward and into midfield to partner Jim O'Brien, and that 20-minute cameo indicated his qualities in that position as well as his capabilities at centre back.
Following Aden Baldwin's injury at Boreham Wood, I thought Bajrami was the pick of the players on his first start for the club away at Gateshead, and he could of felt hard done by after being dropped for the game against Chesterfield the following week.
But his performance in both games over the weekend imply that Luke Williams has found another versatile midfield option, with many questioning the decision to loan Frank Vincent to Aldershot Town.
The Notts boss labelled him a "beast" post-match, and his performance yesterday backed up that statement. Calm and composed on the ball when under pressure, producing vital interceptions all over the pitch, and tireless running that broke up Solihull's build-up play throughout the afternoon.
He almost grabbed an assist for Scott in the first half, lofting an inch-perfect ball over the Solihull defence, only for the striker to fluff his lines and opt to backheel the ball in a position of real promise for Notts.
If it wasn't a complete midfield performance, then it was pretty close, and for the trip to Dagenham and Redbridge, he might as well be the first name on the team sheet.
Effective wing-backs
Over the season, the impetus on both full-backs aiding attacks has been prevalent, but yesterday was the most effective we have seen that combination since the start of the season.
Aaron Nemane during the first half was simply unplayable. His directness, sharpness and awareness to pick out the right pass was outstanding, and he gave the Solihull defence a torrid time all afternoon. It was a much different performance to the one at The Shay, with the focus in that game focused on his defensive capabilities, a test he passed with flying colours.
In the lead up to his goal, Adam Chicksen was guilty of being slightly wasteful in promising positions and maybe lacking that confidence to attack his man.
But after opening the scoring, he became a completely different player. His first goal since two seasons ago seemed to rejuvenate the Zimbabwean, and his threat down the left-hand side increased as the game went on.
Solid in defence and full of running to aid attacks, but most importantly, being in the right place at the right time. If he can continue to that for the rest of the season, goals will come his way. Maybe a six was slightly harsh for his performance yesterday.
Missed opportunities unpunished
On any other day, the Magpies could have been out of sight in the first half, luckily, they managed to find a way.
Against the Shaymen, Notts had six shots at the Halifax goal, with all six hitting the target and four goals to add to that, however that clinical nature was missing to add to the score-line that would not have flattered Williams' side.
Macaulay Langstaff, who has been clinical in recent weeks, missed a glorious opportunity in the first half after being put through by Rodrigues, with many fans inside Meadow Lane already celebrating before he dragged his shot narrowly wide of Louie Moulden's goal.
And following his first goal for his new club, Cedwyn Scott could have added to his tally for the season, but instead chose to backheel the ball to find his former Gateshead partner, but ultimately, it proved inconclusive to end result of the contest.
It will be a case of 'it was one of those days' for the new Notts duo, but there is no denying their work rate off the ball and competitiveness to create chances and get into the right positions.
It will not be an aspect of the game that will worry Williams, but Notts could find themselves rueing similar opportunities later on in the season, but yesterday they were playing against a side that offered virtually nothing going forward, and that is testament to the defending of the back three.
Rodrigues' influential return
After missing the Halifax Town game through illness, Ruben Rodrigues was put straight back into the side by his manager, and his performance yesterday proved why you simply can't leave a player of his quality out of the starting XI.
His performance oozed quality and would have been the perfect performance if it hadn't of been for James Clarke's heroics to clear his goal-bound effort off the line, but his overall display was something to be admired.
One moment in particular stood out, showing his instinctive nature of half-volleying a ball just inside the Solihull half that narrowly missed the target. His technical ability is outstanding, and that little snippet of the quality emphasises why interest in his services will worry the Notts fans.
The Magpies face an anxious wait until Thursday's EFL transfer window deadline, with reports suggesting that League One side Peterborough United had reportedly lodged a bid for the Portuguese midfielder.
However speaking post-match, Williams explained he was "confident" that his talisman would remain a Notts County player beyond the September 1st deadline, and following his performance yesterday, I won't be surprised if a few other teams are swooping in to acquire his signature.
The perfect Bank Holiday weekend
Playing Saturday then Monday is tough for any side in professional football, but to come away with six points in three days with two different types of performances, is credit to Williams and the application of the players.
At the start of the weekend, Notts found themselves in tenth place after three consecutive draws, and so early on in the National League season, every point is crucial.
And they provided the perfect response, picking up maximum points, maintaining their unbeaten start to the season, and closing the to just two points to league leaders Chesterfield.
Now the five-day wait for the next fixture against Dagenham and Redbridge could have possibly come at the wrong time, halting their momentum, but a fully rested Notts County can be a dangerous animal, and one that could cause havoc against The Daggers on Saturday.
