PHIL PARKINSON felt his side deserved something out of their top of the table showdown against Notts County but admits missed chances proved costly as the eight-game unbeaten run came to an end.

Wrexham made the trip to Meadow Lane as National League leaders following Saturday’s 2-1 win at Oldham Athletic but they have been replaced at the summit by the Magpies who won 1-0, with Macaulay Langstaff - the top scorer in the division - bagging his 15th goal of the season.

County created opportunities before and after Langstaff broke the deadlock following a well worked move from a free-kick after 13 minutes but so did the Reds, especially in the second half when the visitors were on top.

But one goal proved to be enough to secure victory for County who now hold a one point lead over second placed Wrexham, and Parkinson bemoaned missed chances as the Reds, leading scorers in the fifth tier, drew a rare blank.

“A clever set-play cost us,” said Parkinson.

“It was a game where there were chances at both ends but we have had the most clear cut opportunities.

“On another day, we could have scored three or four goals easily.

“We had three one-on-ones and Aaron Hayden had two headers in the six yard box.

“You would always fancy us to score if a team gives us that many chances but it just wouldn’t go in for us.

Parkinson felt Wrexham had enough opportunities either side of the break to take at least a point from the game that was watched by a bumper 10,741 crowd, with nearly 1,900 visiting fans in attendance for the midweek fixture.

“We knew Notts are a decent side,” said Parkinson, who saw his goalkeeper Mark Howard pull off a number of crucial saves.

“They started quick, had a chance early, but I thought we grew into the half.

“Paul Mullin got through and shot over, and Ollie Palmer was through, so even in the first half we had opportunities.

“I thought we dominated the second half; obviously when we went and opened the team up a little bit, there is always the vulnerability on the break.

“Mark Howard had to pull off some really good saves but all in all, it’s game we deserved at least a point.”

County also registered a home win on Saturday, beating Altrincham 3-1.

Even after Wrexham went behind, and knowing how the Magpies like to play, Parkinson felt his side would get openings.

“The lads have got good belief in themselves as individual players and collectively,” said Parkinson.

“We said at half-time that there was a great opportunity for us because we knew how they play with a very high line and we knew if the timing of the runs was right, we would get in.

“When Altrincham came here on Saturday they had five or six chances very similar.

“Notts County will probably look at it and think that over the two games, to only concede one goal against Altrincham, they have got away with it a little bit.”