EVERYONE inside Meadow Lane knew it was not over. Even when the game went deeper and deeper into injury-time, the fans knew there was one more act to be played out.

Not just because Notts County have a habit of scoring late goals this season.

But because it was somehow fated for them to win on the day they paid tribute to Jimmy Sirrel, the most famous and successful manager in the club's history, who died last Thursday at the age of 86.

That it was their first league win of the season against the club where Sirrel ended his playing days and began his coaching career only made it more fitting.

It all seemed to happen in slow motion when Richard Butcher met Jamie Clapham's measured cross and directed a header back across goal over Nikki Bull.

The keeper back-pedalled frantically as the ball looped in the air, but the Magpies' midfielder had placed it perfectly beyond his reach. It went in and the game burst back into real time.

It sparked memorable scenes of celebration. Boss Ian McParland ran down the touchline punching the air, the players mobbed Butcher who stood with his arms raised triumphantly to the heavens and the Notts supporters erupted out of their seats.

There was joy, relief and pure unadulterated excitement that Notts had clinched victory in the most dramatic of circumstances. On a day all desperately wanted the Magpies to win, they had done it. And they had done it for Jimmy.

There was an emotionally-charged atmosphere throughout the afternoon. From the moment one of Sirrel's old interviews was played over the loudspeaker before kick-off, where he spoke of the two loves of his life – Notts and his wife Cathy.

Then there was the minute's applause, which was rapturously observed by all. The chant of "There's only one Jimmy Sirrel" reverberated around Meadow Lane, not for the first, or last, time.

At one point, the few hundred travelling fans ignited the same chant in remembrance of one of their own old players and coaches. It was a day football almost didn't matter.

A sign was unfurled in the Kop Stand, saying simply 'God bless you Jimmy'. They were four words that summed-up the feelings of every one of the 6,033 people inside the stadium; those that knew him well and those that didn't, but knew all about the incredible feats he achieved as managed of the Magpies.

At the end, when the stadium had emptied, McParland was close to tears when he spoke of his delight that he had guided his side to a victory for Sirrel, still the boss as he called him.

This win meant more to him than any before as manager of the club. It was a fitting victory, and it was a deserved one too.

There will be parts of the game that will concern McParland in the cold light of day. Like another slow start in the first half, where Notts struggled once again to turn possession into goalscoring chances.

Butcher did spurn a glorious chance to break the deadlock after four minutes, but directed a free header just wide from Myles Weston's left-wing cross. And Jamie Forrester rifled a low effort towards the near post, that Bull held. But that was it.

He will also be disappointed with the defending for Anthony Charles' goal early in the second half. Michael Johnson was quick to accept total responsibility, admitting he should have been marking the Shots' defender at the corner but was caught out as he tried to organise the rest of the defence, ironically.

But McParland was pleased with his side's swift response to falling behind, with Johnson making almost immediate amends for his error by heading Matt Hamshaw's in-swinging free-kick past Bull from point-blank range.

It was the same free-kick routine that paid dividends at Exeter City, with Hamshaw teeing up Johnson to score.

McParland was also delighted that his side had beaten a team he described as the best they have faced this season. After the start Notts have had, against the likes of Bradford City on the opening day, Darlington and Shrewsbury Town, that is high praise indeed.

They certainly were impressive, with John Grant and Marvin Morgan powerful attacking threats and Scott Davies a clever orchestrator in midfield.

Aldershot caused the Magpies major problems at times. Grant fired over in the early stages after Kirk Hudson cleverly cut the ball back into his path inside the penalty area.

And twice in the second half Louie Soares forced Russell Hoult into good saves. The first was a powerful effort from 20-yards that Hoult held brilliantly diving to his left. The second, on 77 minutes, was even more impressive as Soares' shot from the edge of the area took a deflection.

Forrester cleverly lifted the ball over Bull and into the net on 67 minutes with an instinctive chip, after racing onto a flick-on from Delroy Facey. But his elegant effort was ruled out for offside.

But it was Butcher that took centre-stage in the end. He secured the club's Football League status with a goal in the Magpies' last league win on home soil against Wycombe Wanderers last season. For all of that, his latest strike was even more significant because it was for the legend, the icon, the character, the boss, a friend to many and inspiration to more – Jimmy Sirrel.

james.pallatt@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk