We knew what to expect but still couldn't cope with Harrogate Town, says Notts County boss Neal Ardley
"Devastated" Notts County manager Neal Ardley conceded that his players couldn't cope with Harrogate Town at Wembley, even though he told them exactly what to expect.
The Magpies were second best for the majority of Sunday's National League play-off final, eventually going on to lose 3-1 and miss out on a place in League Two next term.
In truth, one 15-minute spell at the start of the second half aside, they struggled and could easily have lost by a significantly greater margin.
Ardley had warned his troops that Town would start fast, with intensity and play at a quick tempo, exactly as they did in last week's semi-final success over Boreham Wood.
And, sure enough, Simon Weaver's side delivered exactly what the County chief predicted - and were two goals to the good inside half an hour.
“For the first 45 minutes we were well below our best," Ardley said.
“I wasn't surprised how Harrogate started the game because they've got a reputation for that. We prepped them for Harrogate to start fast and us be ready for it.
“Everything we worked on during the week was about how fast Harrogate would come out. To see us at six and sevens was disappointing.
“Everything we'd prepped all week, they threw out the window in the first 45 minutes.
“Wembley's a strange place, it can make people under-perform and we certainly did in the first half."
Goals from George Thomson, Connor Hall and Jack Diamond would ultimately prove decisive and Ardley went on to admit that Town deserved their success.
"Afterwards you have to show a bit of class. They deserved to win and they did their jobs," he added.
“On the occasion we didn't perform, Harrogate did, and they deserved their win.
“Unfortunately, on the day, the better team won. I'm devastated."