Stead-fast County

JON STEAD could play until he is 40, claimed Notts County manager Kevin Nolan after this draw at Stevenage kept his side top of League Two. Stead, 34, has played an average of 34 league games a season since 2007. On Saturday, Nolan gave Stead his 16th start out of 17. He played up top alongside Jorge Grant — on loan from Forest. It was Grant’s ball that opened up the Stevenage defence for Elliott Hewitt to equalise in the second half after Danny Newton had given the hosts the lead. Stead bullied the Stevenage defenders. ‘People don’t finish at 34 or 35 anymore,’ said Nolan. ‘Now they’re finishing at 37, 38 and 39, even 40, and he’s one of our top players on the pitch.’