"I’ve worked at a higher level than this and that was every bit as good as what you’ll see up the leagues," were the words of Southend boss Kevin Maher following their 2-2 draw with Notts County at Roots Hall.
In what was a great advert for National League football, the Magpies were forced to share the spoils in Essex having twice lead on the night through Macaulay Langstaff and Cedwyn Scott.
This season has seen a step up of quality in English football's fifth tier, with Luke Williams' side and Wrexham leading the way at the summit of the standings.
READ MORE: Five things learned from Notts County's 2-2 draw with Southend
Just six points separate Dagenham and Redbridge in 12th to Solihull Moors in the fourth, with Neal Ardley's side losing ground on Chesterfield following their 1-0 defeat to Halifax Town on Tuesday evening.
The two in-form sides in the division locked horns at Roots Hall on Tuesday evening, with the BT Sport cameras certainly picking the right game to cover, broadcasting a fantastic fixture for the neutral.
Having been caretaker manager at Bristol Rovers in League One, Maher was quick to highlight the quality on show at Roots Hall but insisted both the Magpies and Wrexham's quality is making it difficult for the sides lower down the table to compete.
“I thought it was an unbelievable game of football," said Maher.
“Credit to Notts County, they’re a really good footballing side but our players were brilliant, and I can’t emphasise enough how well they did to keep going and look like the team that were on top for long periods.
“We’re a good side and the players can take great belief from the game. What Notts County and Wrexham are doing makes it difficult for teams just below them."
And the Notts boss also alluded to the quality on show against the Shrimpers, insisting that the fixture would not have looked out of place potentially two leagues above the National League.
"I totally agree with that. This type and level of football I agree you will see at a higher level, potentially two levels above.
"But for us, whatever level we are playing, we want more to be able to be in control of the game and have the game on our terms, especially when we don't have to chase."
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