SHOLA’S SPOT ON FOR NOTTS
NOTTS County have the bit between their teeth and Kevin Nolan tipped his cap to his side’s character as they kept the pace with league leaders Luton with a dramatic late win over Colchester.
The Magpies had gone ahead when Shola Ameobi lashed in from the spot in the second half, only for Mikael Mandron to fluff his lines from the spot later on.
Sanmi Odelusi then looked to have given the U’s a point having scored with his first touch before Ryan Yates popped up to net in injury time.
The result keeps Notts level on points with Luton at the top of League Two and Magpies boss Nolan was thrilled with his team’s fighting spirit.
“They played us really well in the first half and we couldn’t get any momentum or creativity going,” he said.
“But I thought we dominated the second and we had some really good chances.
“We were well worthy of the win, but it just shows you the character that we kept going after conceding such a late equaliser.
“I’ve spoken about this team’s character and what they have showed me is they have it in abundance and togetherness.
“They have a willingness not to get beat and you have seen that consistently throughout the season.”
Colchester had the better of the opening 45 minutes, but failed to trouble goalkeeper Ross Fitzsimons.
But the game burst into life after the break when Mandron was adjudged to have fouled Yates.
Ameobi then blasted his spot kick high into the roof of the net, before Colchester had their own penalty when Jorge Grant fouled Ryan Jackson.
But Fitzsimons read Mandron’s intentions to make a superb save.
U’s boss John McGreal brought on Odelusi to liven up the attack and it paid off instantly when he latched onto Mandron’s pass to fire into the far corner.
But Yates had the final say when he pounced at the back post from Grant’s corner.
And McGreal was disappointed not to see the game out as his side’s three-game unbeaten run came to a halt.
“It’s a tough one to take,” he said.
“We performed well in the first half and knew we would have to weather the storm in the second.
“We gave a silly penalty away, got one ourselves although it wasn’t good.
“But we kept going again and changed it around in terms of personnel.
“We scored a good equaliser which was a good finish by Sam having just come on from the bench.
“Then it was all about seeing the game out and we were not able to do that.
“I’ll have to have a look at the penalty that was given against us. I spoke to the fourth official about it and he said there was a push or something.”