Forte ends dry spell to thwart comeback

NOTTS County manager Kevin Nolan praised striker Jonathan Forte’s resolve after his first goal since January helped the Magpies claim their first away league win of the season.

Substitute Forte – left out of the squad for their league opener at Coventry City – and summer signing Lewis Alessandra earned County a deserved late victory after Wycombe fought back from 2-0 down to level shortly after the hour.

“Some of his touches were really nice and he stretched them,” said Nolan. “We rate him as a footballer and we know there are good things coming from him.

“[After Coventry] he wanted to know whether or not he was in my plans. Once he knew he had my confidence, I think that’s helped him.That’s why we’ve worked to keep him here; we’ve had a couple of enquiries about him but he’s been fantastic since pre-season.”

Captain Richard Duffy opened the scoring for the Magpies on his 50th appearance for the club, heading home from Dan Jones’ freekick on 14 minutes. The visitors promptly doubled their advantage in comical fashion, as Luke O’Nien’s clearance hit Wycombe captain Adam El-Abd and cannoned past goalkeeper Scott Brown.

Wycombe pulled themselves back into the game in sensational style, as half-time substitute Nick Freeman scored his first league goal for Wanderers with a powerful half-volley into the top corner. Joe Jacobson then brilliantly curled home a 25-yard free-kick to level it.

County, unbeaten at Adams Park since October 2007, retook the lead when Forte headed home six yards out from another Jones free-kick. Alessandra then sealed the victory when he fired home in the 90th minute after Forte’s close-range effort rebounded off the post.

Nolan added: “Relief is a big word. To get the goals later on from the two substitutes was fantastic.”

Wycombe boss Gareth Ainsworth said: “We’ve played a good side . I’m telling you now, Notts County will not be far away this season with the resources and the team they’ve got. They’re big, strong and organised. If you’re like that in League Two, you’ve got a chance.

“After 70 minutes, I thought there was only going to be one winner and that was us. You can’t ship four goals at home. I think that three of them could have been avoided and we must defend set plays better than we did. There are things to work on.”