Notts County continue to rip up the script of this sensational National League season, repeatedly disrupting the predicted fairy-tale ending many are predicting for their Welsh challengers for the title.
The Magpies were left to star in a Hollywood thriller of their own at fortress Meadow Lane against Eastleigh on Tuesday, with Ruben Rodrigues playing the leading role in yet another dazzling second-half display.
While Everything Everywhere All At Once scooped the top prize at the Oscars this week, Luke Williams directed another award-winning production in the quest for the prize that matters most to Notts fans, the National League title.
READ MORE: Rodrigues highlights importance of County team-mates following penalty miss
Victory on Tuesday means County remain on Wrexham's coat-tails at the top of the National League table, just a point behind the Hollywood-owned leaders and within striking distance of automatic promotion back to the Football League themselves.
Here are the key talking points from the win at Meadow Lane...
Rodrigues masterclass
There aren't enough words in the dictionary to describe the performance witnessed by Notts' talismanic midfielder last night.
His showing at Meadow Lane oozed quality when he was in possession, but also had that determination and drive to win the ball back for his side and continue their second-half onslaught.
Despite knowing his undoubted qualities, the Eastleigh defenders were ultimately fooled into giving Rodrigues the time and space in midfield to run the game. Having managed to nullify his threat during the opening period, the Portuguese midfielder ran riot in the second 45, starting the move that led to his first goal of the evening with a neat one-two before dancing into the area to wrong-foot opposition keeper Joe McDonnell.
But arguably the most impressive part of his display was his resilience and mentality following his penalty miss. While his stuttering run-up has proved so effective this campaign, the Spitfires keeper was able to read the direction of the spot-kick before quickly jumping to his feet to deny the rebound.
However, not one to shy away from the responsibility, Rodrigues took it upon himself to grab the game by the scruff of the neck, making amends six minutes later to nonchalantly poke the ball into the back of the net - the relief of atoning for his error evident in his passionate celebrations in front of the KOP.
He was also on hand to provide an assist for Macaulay Langstaff's 36th goal of the season as the Magpies scored directly from a corner into the area for the first time this season.
Rodrigues' leadership qualities were also a standout of his performance - ensuring his team-mates were kept away from referee Scott Simpson after awarding the spot-kick in the first half, further showing the impact and respect he has in the Notts dressing room.
Impactful changes
When Rodrigues' equaliser hit the back of the net, the intention was clear. Not only from the players who quickly retrieved the ball to go for the win, but also from the Notts boss Luke Williams too.
This season has seen Williams more often than not use his substitutions to absolute perfection, with Tuesday night no different as he ushered Sam Austin into the action in place of John Bostock.
The midfielder must be a defender's nightmare when entering the game in the final 20 minutes, again providing that endless energy and dogged tenacity to win the ball high up the pitch and create opportunities for his team-mates.
Williams had already made an enforced change in defence when the returning Aden Baldwin was forced off early in the second half. With captain Kyle Cameron the change many expected, the Magpies chief instead opted for Geraldo Bajrami to fill that central role in the back three. And his choice never let the manager down, the Albanian putting in another composed display following his performance against Dorking.
Frank Vincent also served up another energetic display, coming on to again provide energy in the final third, albeit receiving a heavy whack to the head just seconds after entering the action.
Growing in confidence
With every passing minute in a Notts shirt, it seems Tiernan Brooks is relishing the opportunity to showcase his talents.
In another mature showing from the 20-year-old goalkeeper, he proved again he is more than capable of filling the gap left by Sam Slocombe for the coming weeks as he continues to impress.
His high starting position was sufficient to combat Eastleigh's persistent balls over the top early on, and he communicated well with his defenders to alleviate the early pressure as he settled in nicely for just his second appearance in front of a Meadow Lane crowd in the league.
Despite a nervy moment shortly before going a goal down with a casual pass into midfield, Brooks continued to create with his kicking from the back, looking in particular to feed the ball into the channels towards Aaron Nemane and Jones.
There was almost a right of passage moment for the youngster after full-time, reacting to cries from the KOP to rush through his team-mates and provide a fist pump to the crowd - further proving the enjoyment and confidence he is gaining from his time on the pitch.
Defying the odds
When Danny Whitehall's first-half penalty gave the visitors the lead on the half-hour mark, the task at hand for Williams' men was monumental given the usual defensive strength of the Spitfires.
Lee Bradbury's side had managed to keep six clean sheets in their last eight games in the National League, winning six of those and having not conceded twice since the end of January in their 2-0 defeat at home to Barnet.
But with a rejuvenated Notts side gracing the Meadow Lane turf following the break, the tone for the second half was set early on with Jodi Jones' effort instantly lifting the home fans. In fact, that support was instrumental in getting their team over the line.
It was just the fifth time this season that the Spitfires have conceded three goals, further emphasising the importance of mentality within this Notts squad.
Putting the pressure on
With league leaders Wrexham waiting in anticipation for the result at Meadow Lane, it felt as though a large proportion of their social media following felt the game was a foregone conclusion when County trailed 1-0 at the break.
But this group of players doesn't tend to do things the easy way, and three points were a must to put the pressure back on Wrexham to maintain their gap at the summit.
With another testing trip to Barnet to come this weekend, Williams insisted his players must treat their remaining eight games as cup finals if they are to achieve their end goal - the title and promotion. Now that is something their own fans are definitely behind.
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