Notts County will be hoping to put their shock FA Cup exit behind them as they return to Meadow Lane to take on Maidstone in the National League on Friday evening.
In what was a much-changed Magpies side, goals from Tom McGlinchy, Ash Chambers, and Luke Shaw ensured Coalville Town set up a first-round tie with Charlton Athletic at The Valley at the expense of Luke Williams' side.
But with many suggesting that promotion from English football's fifth tier was the main focus this season, that attention quickly switches to that target and offers the potential of opening up a four-point gap to second-placed Wrexham, who face a tough trip to Boreham Wood on Saturday.
READ MORE: Luke Williams identifies brilliant Notts County performance despite Coalville Town defeat
The side that started against the Ravens saw eight changes from the team that beat Woking, including debuts for youngster Lucien Mahovo and Leicester City loanee, Brad Young.
Only Geraldo Bajrami, Richard Brindley and Connell Rawlinson survived from their last National League encounter, with the Magpies boss explaining he saw a lot of good performances from his fringe players in that fixture ahead of their encounter with the Stones.
Following his two goals at the weekend, midfielder Sam Austin has put himself in contention for a first start since Notts' 4-1 win over Halifax Town back in August, but it could all depend on the positioning of Bajrami.
The Albanian operated in midfield alongside Matty Palmer in the first half but was moved to the left-side of the back three for the second period, however captain Kyle Cameron is expected to return in that position on Friday, meaning the 23-year-old will likely return to central midfield at the expense of Austin.
Both Adam Chicksen and Aaron Nemane were given 90 minutes rest and despite a solid performance from Joel Taylor, both of those players are expected to return to the starting line-up.
National League top scorer Macaulay Langstaff was given a 20-minute run out to try and grab the all-important goal to send Notts through to the first-round proper of the FA Cup, and whilst failing to add to his 15-goal haul, he will be looking to return to the goal trail in front of the Meadow Lane fans on Friday evening.
Ahead of the fixture, our Notts County reporter Oliver King has had a go at predicting who Williams will start for their fixture against Maidstone.
Notts predicted line-up: Slocombe; Cameron, Rawlinson, Brindley; Chicksen, Palmer, Bajrami, Nemane; Rodrigues, Scott, Langstaff.
SUBS: Adebayo-Rowling, Taylor, Austin, Castro, Mitchell.
READ NEXT:
- Luke Williams sends Joel Taylor message following return to Notts County fold
- Sam Austin eyeing up Notts County first-team place following FA Cup performance
- Notts County boss highlights most disappointing aspect of FA Cup exit ahead of Maidstone test
- Connell Rawlinson questions Notts County mentality following FA Cup exit
