Boss Kev hails his gritty Magpies

NOTTS County manager Kevin Nolan praised his side’s character after they recovered to claim an important win at Colchester.

The Magpies trailed at half-time to Drey Wright’s opener but second-half goals from Jonathan Forte, Shola Ameobi and Richard Duffy secured victory for the Magpies, who are four points off League Two’s top three.

Nolan said: “We had a few choice words at half-time and I challenged them to get back to those as quickly as possible and to prove what they’ve shown all season in abundance, which is character, togetherness and spirit, because I thought we lacked it in the first half.

“We were lucky to get in at 1-0 but we were in the game and we did the right things in the second half and we got fantastic goals at the right time.

“It had looked like one of those games in the first half but we showed fantastic character in the second half.”

Meanwhile, Colchester boss John McGreal criticised referee Brendan Malone for failing to dismiss Ameobi following an alleged elbow on defender Luke Prosser just before half-time.

McGreal said: “If you look at the triangle of officials, they’re in great positions.

“The referee was in the perfect position but chose not to see it.

“I’ve spoken to him and he said he hasn’t seen it.

“I think that’s one of the reasons why he’s only played five games this year.

“To come in for a high-class level, top of the table-ish game with both teams with a lot to play for – we get a referee that’s only refereed five games, this season.

“We dominated large chunks of the game but they’ve had three shots on target and scored three goals.”

Wright gave Colchester a tenth-minute lead, slotting past keeper Adam Collin from close range after exchanging passes with Ben Stevenson.

And although Forte had an effort ruled out for pushing, County were second-best in the first half.

Tom Eastman hit a post for Colchester just after half-time but soon after, Forte squeezed a low shot inside the near post from Matt Tootle’s cross to level.

Ameobi then fired the visitors ahead with 21 minutes to go, following up to score after Sam Walker had denied Forte and Matty Virtue had gone close, from Tootle’s cross.

And County wrapped up victory with 14 minutes remaining when Duffy headed in Dan Jones’ free-kick.