The month of January was earmarked as crucial for Notts County in their quest for the National League title, and it's proving more difficult than first anticipated.
The Magpies dropped points for the second time in three matches to start the new year, swinging the pendulum back in the favour of Wrexham who sit three points behind the league leaders with two games in hand.
Following the draw, we take a look at the key talking points from Meadow Lane.
READ MORE: Luke Williams addresses Portsmouth manager links following Boreham Wood draw
Keeping it simple
While Notts are normally comfortable in possession when playing out from the back, at times against Boreham Wood they looked to overcomplicate simple situations that ultimately led to George Broadbent's opener.
The Wood came to Meadow Lane with a game plan, looking to perform a high-press with the Magpies looking to play out from the back and causing some real problems without really obtaining any possession of their own.
Their threat was evident early on in the first half, with Matty Palmer dispossessed just outside his penalty area, resulting in Broadbent taking aim and luckily only managing to find the post.
Despite that early scare, Notts continued to stick to their philosophy but it continued to create more problems that were eventually punished, with Aden Baldwin looking to play out from the back rather than trust Sam Slocombe with the ball which resulted in Broadbent giving the visitors the lead just before half-time.
It was just the sixth time that Williams' side had conceded at home this season, going into the break behind for just the second time this season at home, with the Notts boss explaining his disappointment about how the opener was conceded.
"I am so disappointed because we had several chances to stop this from happening," explained Williams.
"We didn't do that so I am very disappointed."
Lacking intensity
Something that has yet to be questioned this season is the lack of intensity shown by this group of players, but at times yesterday, Notts looked tired and lethargic in possession and were guilty of slowing the play down.
While that may be a credit to the tactics implemented by Luke Garrard, evident even before the game with Nathan Ashmore winning the toss and forcing the Magpies to play towards the KOP in the first half along with his comments earlier in his pre-match assessment of the fixture which was bound to motivate his players.
Their press was something that disrupted the flow to this normally fluent Notts side, man-marking the dangerous players within Williams' armoury and making it extremely difficult for spaces to be picked up in attacking positions.
This was evident on several occasions at Meadow Lane, in particular from throw-ins, with frustrations about the time it took Aaron Nemane to restart the game, but this was simply not down to the Frenchman's lack of trying but the effectiveness of the Wood's gameplan.
However, the Magpies did have their chances with Macaulay Langstaff missing a glorious chance one-on-one with Nathan Ashmore, only to find the palms of the Boreham Wood captain which on reflection, looks like a defining moment in the contest despite happening four minutes into the game.
Right team selection?
Williams made one change to the side that beat Aldershot at the weekend, with John Bostock coming in for his second start alongside Matty Palmer in place of Jim O'Brien.
The pair have started two games alongside each other in midfield, with both games ending in a draw with many expecting more with the experience of Bostock and the composure Palmer provides.
It was a mixed performance from the latest Notts signing, often showing glimpses of the quality he possesses with the ball at his feet, evident in his teasing cross that allowed Cedwyn Scott to fire the host's level.
But on occasions during the game when intensity in possession was needed after finding their equaliser, Bostock was maybe guilty of slowing down the game and often looking to play the ball backward and keep possession rather than playing into the forward areas.
Williams did mention after the game that in hindsight he may have gotten his team selection slightly wrong, and I was surprised to not see O'Brien make an appearance to provide that bite and urgency in midfield.
It was also another appearance on the bench for Geraldo Bajrami, and feel as though his inclusion in midfield has been restricted following the injury to Connell Rawlinson to provide that extra defensive cover should any of the three central defenders come down with an injury.
It is worth noting that the pairing of Palmer and Bajrami was pivotal in Notts' eight-match winning run earlier in the campaign. While I understand the risk of playing the Albanian in midfield, the driving runs from deep and what he offers this Notts team simply can't be ignored.
FA Trophy thinking
This weekend's FA Trophy fixture against Maidstone allows the Magpies to focus on a chance to get to Wembley but does offer Williams a decision to make in terms of team selection.
In previous rounds, the Notts boss has been allowed to make several changes to his starting line-up as the focus remains on the league, but he may find that difficult this Sunday.
While Frank Vincent returned to Meadow Lane following his loan with Aldershot, both Quevin Castro and Joel Taylor departed the club last weekend, leaving just 19 first-team players available for Williams to choose from.
But that number has also been whittled down to potentially 17 this weekend given the injuries to both Tobi Adebayo-Rowling and Connell Rawlinson, with Williams also explaining that midfielder Ruben Rodrigues was "not 100%" in their draw on Tuesday evening.
While playing a stronger team will be considered given the Magpies do not have a game in midweek before their trip to Chesterfield, picking up any needless injuries ahead of their clash with the Spireites could have huge implications on where they finish come the end of the season.
READ NEXT:
- Notts County player ratings vs Boreham Wood as Magpies drop points at Meadow Lane
- Notts County team news vs Boreham Wood as Austin returns following illness
- Kyle Cameron named National League Player of the month for December
- Luke Williams highlights importance of Notts County duo despite firing Aldershot blank
