Martin Paterson ‘couldn’t see’ as Notts County edge past Altrincham in thick fog

Head coach Martin Paterson admitted he couldn’t see what was happening on the pitch during Notts County’s FA Cup victory over Altrincham.

The League One side progressed to the second round on penalties, winning 3-2 after a 2-2 draw in 120 minutes. But the dense fog, which hampered visibility late on, was the biggest post-match talking point.

“We couldn’t see the ball or the players,” said Paterson. “It was a strange one. The positive is we’re in the next round of the FA Cup and we have to be thankful.”

Paterson added he hasn’t experienced anything like the extreme conditions in his 30-year involvement in football, but did not discuss the decision to continue the game with the officials.

He added: “I have got to get on with it. My job is to coach. I was still barking orders and trying to get people in the right spots. I just couldn’t see if they were listening to me or not.”

County started brightly and took the lead in the 28th minute, Jacob Bedeau connecting with Callum Roberts’ excellent cross to the back post.

But Altrincham, sitting seventh in the fifth tier, responded well and Lucas Weaver dragged an effort wide after a surging run before grabbing an equaliser six minutes before half-time.

The striker latched on to a superb Matty Kosylo through ball, cut inside, and fired low and hard into the net. Replays subsequently suggested he may have been offside.

The hosts then took the lead just before the hour when again Kosylo picked out a team-mate with an impressive ball. Lewis Banks this time finished off, tapping home after his initial effort was saved.

As the fog descended, Roberts dashed Altrincham’s hopes of another cup scalp, having beaten 17 Football League sides in the competition, scoring with a first-time strike in the 84th minute to force extra-time.

Somehow the game continued despite the severe visibility issues, and with no breakthrough in extra-time, penalties were required.

Aidan Barlow, Sam Taylor and Eddy Jones all missed from the spot for Altrincham, allowing County’s Rosaire Longelo to slot home the decisive kick.

Altrincham boss Neil Gibson said. “It did reach a period in extra time where it became almost impossible to coach. We’re looking to see what they’re trying to do, but we can’t see beyond the middle of the pitch.

“I’m led to believe the players on the pitch could see the ball okay. I felt the integrity of the game was upheld.

“It was a brave decision for the referee to continue the game in those conditions and it was probably the right one.”

Altrincham had led 2-1 with six minutes remaining and Gibson added: “Once we grew into the game, I thought we fully deserved our 2-1 lead at 80 minutes and I firmly felt we were going to do enough to see us over the line.”