Salford City boss Karl Robinson praised his side’s supporters for “getting behind us in a really positive way” after a season-high crowd inspired a dramatic late victory over Notts County.
4,011 supporters packed into the Peninsula Stadium on Good Friday were treated to late drama as Matt Butcher volleyed home the winning goal in the sixth minute of stoppage time.
Butcher’s decisive goal came after a chaotic period of stoppage time saw Ryan Graydon’s opener two minutes in controversially cancelled out by Luke Browne.
It sparked scenes of pandemonium among the bumper Peninsula Stadium crowd and the touchline, where Robinson said he was “totally gone” amid the mayhem.
After the match, the ecstatic Salford boss reflected on the remarkable end to the contest and thanked the fans, a game after he had said “we need more people” to attend games.
“It was pleasing. This place is quite small, but when it gets going, it’s rocking. And I think our fans are really getting behind us in a very positive way.”
Salford started brightly and were unfortunate not to have broken the deadlock in the first half. Graydon headed a clipped cross from Princewill Ehibhatiomhan against a post after eight minutes and Magpies goalkeeper James Belshaw made two fine saves to deny Luke Garbutt.
Robinson felt his side deserved to win and should have been in control at half time.
“I thought we were very good and should have been maybe one or two goals ahead in the first half,” he said.
“We ended up getting a great goal from a set-piece that was worked on in the week, and then their goal was a blatant foul.
“But our lads responded to that. I’ve never seen anything like it. I’ve never experienced that.
“When we conceded, we’d got a minute and a half left. When you score, you are at your most vulnerable and we tried to reverse that.
“Matt Butcher is making a bit of a name for himself with goals, and when I saw it go in, I was gone.
“It just made no sense. And as far as winning goals go, it was a brilliant strike.”
Catching his breath after excitedly reliving the winning moment, Robinson paused before drawing attention to the progress Salford have made this season.
“We are four points ahead of where we finished last year with five games to go. It’s our most wins in the EFL in the club’s history,” he explained.
“We work hard every day to be as successful as we possibly can, but I have just seen things today that are beyond words.”
The win means Salford have climbed to fifth in League Two and are level on points with Cambridge United, who occupy the final automatic promotion place with a superior goal difference.
Salford are in with a big chance of earning automatic promotion after seven seasons in the fourth tier.
Karl Robinson’s men travel to play-off chasing Crewe on Easter Monday, eyeing a third consecutive win that could lift them into the top three, 3pm kick-off.
