Kevin Nolan has spoken highly of Adam Collin's big throw, describing it as a "proper weapon", and hopes the goalkeeper can continue making use of it as Notts County seek a grandstand finish in League Two.

The Magpies came from behind to beat Colchester United 3-1 away last weekend, with Collin setting off a number of quick counterattacks by launching the ball upfield.

“I thought Adam was absolutely tremendous again,” Nolan told the Nottingham Post.

“He has got an arm on him which means he can throw it over the halfway line quite easily. When he uses it, it’s a proper weapon.

“I’ve probably taken it away from him a bit because when I came here, it was about controlling the game and making sure he slows it game down.

“But when he launches it, it gives us a lift and sets a bit of a tempo for us.

“We spoke about it at half-time at Colchester and said that Adam would get the ball and try to release it quickly as possible.

“But you’ve also got to remember the saves he made in the first and second half to keep us in the game.

“The lads then went up the other end and got the goals we needed.”

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Colchester United captain Luke Prosser has spoken of the incident where Notts County's Shola Ameobi allegedly elbowed him in the chest, and says he received an apology about it after the game.

Just before half time, the veteran Magpies forward appeared to elbow Prosser in the chest, although referee Brendan Malone chose to take no action.

Ameobi went on to score County's second goal in Saturday's 3-1 away win at the Weston Homes Community Stadium, which kept them in the hunt for a top seven spot.

“I went to see the doctor, and have just looked at the incident in the physio room,” Prosser is quoted by GreenUn24 as saying. “I got an elbow straight in the chest. He (Ameobi) apologised to me after the game, put it that way.

“It’s part-and-parcel of football, but obviously it didn’t go our way. To be fair, we were having a bit of a tussle before we went into the box and I was looking across when he made a connection with me.

“It looks like he struck out, looking at the video, but that’s not the reason why we lost the game. It’s a big decision, but we have still got to defend crosses that are coming in, and you’d always rather there were 11 versus 11 on the pitch, to make it a better game.

“He managed to get the second goal, but we have still got to defend that. Albeit on another day he would not have been on the pitch, but we have still got to defend better than what we did do.”

Asked whether he thought about taking out revenge, Prosser joked: “He is a lot bigger than me, and you have to pick your battles! And it’s fine now, though on another day, he shouldn’t have still been on the pitch, maybe.”

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Notts County boss Kevin Nolan has hailed Jonathan Forte after the striker grabbed his third goal in two games against Colchester United on Saturday.

The 31-year-old has endured extended spells outside of the squad but his equaliser spurred the Magpies to victory as they ran out 3-1 winners at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

It was the first time Notts have sealed back to back wins in League Two since last September and Nolan praised Forte for the impact he had on the game.

"You can see he's riding the crest of a wave at the minute," Nolan told the Nottingham Post.

"He kept Steady out, finished his goal fantastically and worked his socks off.

"I'm delighted both he and Shola got on the scoresheet - and I thought Steady was terrific when he came on.

"All three contributed, but Forte is showing what we all believed he had. Hopefully he can continue that form until the end of the season."

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Richard Duffy admits that Kevin Nolan's half-time dressing room dressing down did the trick as Notts County ran out 3-1 winners at Colchester United on Saturday.

The Magpies trailed at half time to Drey Wright's ninth-minute opener but scored three goals after the restart, through Jonathan Forte, Shola Ameobi and Richard Duffy, to seal victory in Essex.

“We were not good in the first half to say the least and we didn’t do what we were told to do,” the team captain told the Nottingham Post following the League Two victory.

“We have instructions and things on the board which tells us what we need to do to win games and we didn’t do any of it.

“They hit the post early doors in the second half but apart from that and when we scored the goal, there was only going to be one team who won it.

“I’ve seen the manager angrier but he said what he thought and I don’t think anybody could disagree with him.

“He walked out and the lads got together and had a quick chat. We got some more instructions and gladly we came out and put in a performance.

“We had intent, we got it forward and we won a lot more second balls. The back four got up and in the first half we didn’t do that.

“They found pockets and were playing through us and big Adam Collin made a fantastic save to keep it at 1-0.

“If you are not playing well being a goal down allows you to regroup at half-time and you go again. That’s what we did and we scored three good goals.”

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Kevin Nolan was pleased with Notts County's second half performance against Colchester United, coming from a goal down at the break to run out 3-1 winners at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

The Magpies trailed at half time to Drey Wright's ninth-minute opener but scored three goals after the restart, through Jonathan Forte, Shola Ameobi and Richard Duffy, to seal victory in Essex.

“We didn’t match the standards we set last week against Coventry,” Nolan told the Nottingham Post.

“I challenged them to get back to there and show what they have shown all season which is togetherness, character and spirit.

“I just thought we looked off it and we allowed Colchester too much time on the ball.

“When you do that with a good side they punish you and we were lucky to get it at 1-0.

“But at the score you are always in the game. We did all the right things in the second half and I thought the goals were fantastic.

“We got them at the right time and the lads’ character was brilliant in the second half.”

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Shola Ameobi has revealed that he is mulling over whether to retire at the end of the season but will consider it properly in the summer.

The 36-year-old has enjoyed a fruitful career in the English game, with more than 300 appearances for Newcastle United, the club he is most associated with.

Ameobi has also impressed in Notts County colours since signing for Kevin Nolan last winter, and this season he has netted five and assisted four in 33 appearances.

“That love is certainly still there for me,” Ameobi told the Nottingham Post.

“It's a tough one. I think my mind wants to, but we just have to see where we are.

“I've always said that I will take stock at the end of the season, give myself a couple of weeks and see if I'm good to go.

“So at this point in time there's no yes or no. But what I do know is I'm still fully involved.

“I still want to help this team make history and I think obviously if you do that then it would definitely sort of make the job easier in terms of deciding.”

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Notts County have been boosted by the return of Jon Stead for the trip to face Colchester United on Saturday.

The 35-year-old, who triggered an extension this week which will see him with the Magpies for another season, missed the win over Coventry City.

Winger Terry Hawkridge will also be available after being sidelined through a knock to allow Nolan more firepower at his disposal.

“Jon trained on Thursday and the couple of days before that,” Nolan told the Nottingham Post. “He’s available for selection as well as Terry Hawkridge.

“It was hard telling lads last year that they were not going to be in the 11, but it’s harder telling lads they are not going to be in the 18.

"It just shows you the strength in depth we have got.”

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Kevin Nolan has admitted that he hasn't given his holidays a single thought as he seeks to finish the season strongly with Notts County.

The Magpies are edging closer to sealing a playoff place, which would extend their campaign beyond the standard 46 games - although automatic promotion is still a possibility.

Four league games remain for Notts, with Colchester United first up at the Weston Community Homes Stadium, and Nolan spoke at length about what is coming up for his team.

“You sometimes get to this point in the season and look forward to the holidays, but I’ve not even spoken about one to my missus yet,” he told the Nottingham Post. “That shows how much work we are trying to put in and to finish the season strongly.

“There’s no better feeling to win, especially when it’s deserved and with a performance like last week. Coventry are a really good outfit and Mark Robins was very complimentary about our lads after the game.

“We knew we had to be on our mettle if we were going to secure the win. It was just the way we did it. When it went to 1-1 you think ‘here we go again’ and part of me felt that. But you look at the lads and to do what they did was fantastic.

“But they’ve been flying this week in training and have been looking forward to the game. It’s going to be another difficult one but one we hopefully can enjoy, keep the winning run going and see what happens come 5pm on Saturday.

"Colchester is a tough place to go and they played us really well here. We got away with one in the last minute and I did say to their manager that we did.

“We are going to be prepared for them because they’ve got some very good strengths. As I say, we’ve noticed a few chinks in their armour and I hope we can expose them on Saturday.

“I am just going to enjoy every minute of it. Unless I am going to be a top manager there are not going to be many times when you get these opportunities. I am really looking forward to the games and celebrating no matter what happens on May 5 because it’s been such a fantastic turnaround.”

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Colchester United defender Tom Eastman has warned Notts County that they “will not take their foot off the pedal” as they look for a strong finish to the League Two season.

The U's are currently four points off the top seven ahead of their game against the Magpies at the Weston Homes Community Stadium this weekend.

While they have not given up hope of a late playoff charge, a failure to beat Notts would almost certainly rule them out of the reckoning, but Eastman insists they will not give up without a fight.

“We’ve got a tough run-in and all of our games now are against teams who are chasing promotion,” Eastman told the Colchester Gazette.

“It’s going to be good fun for us to test ourselves against them and none of the boys are going to take their foot off the pedal.

“We’ve got four games to go and we’ll be looking to win all of them.

“We’re definitely not going to make it easy for anyone who plays against us.

“We have Notts County here on Saturday and hopefully get the three points.”

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Jon Stead has triggered a clause in his Notts County contract to extend his stay at Meadow Lane past the end of the season.

The 35-year-old striker, who has scored 13 goals this term, had to play a set number of games and the Nottingham Post confirmed that he has passed the required target.

Manager Kevin Nolan reiterated the news and paid tribute to Stead, who turned down a move to the United States last summer to remain with the Magpies.

“Jon will be here next season,” Nolan told the Post at his pre-match press conference ahead of the League Two trip to Colchester United.

“He’s been fantastic and is up there with Adam Collin, Richard Duffy and Elliott Hewitt in terms of their performances all season round.

“I know he hasn’t had the goal output, but he has assists and has been involved in a lot of good stuff.

“I am telling you if he was out of contract in the summer he would have a number of League One and League Two sides vying for his signature. We are very lucky to have him.”

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Kevin Nolan has revealed that he will be having a chat with Joey Barton in hope of persuading him to come to Notts County.

Barton, who played alongside Nolan at Newcastle United, will be able to return to football in the summer once his 13-month ban for betting offences comes to an end.

Although the 35-year-old is being tipped to join a Premier League or Championship team, the Magpies boss said he'd have a word with him and see what happens.

“Joey and I are good friends and he’s also a good friend of Darren Fletcher (board member),” Nolan told the Nottingham Post.

“He is a top player and a top lad. I really got on well with him and I think he describes himself as Joey on the pitch and Joseph off it. That’s his quote, not mine by the way.

“I get on with both of them and respect both of them very highly. From my point of view he will probably want to play at a higher level.

“If that doesn’t come to fruition then I am sure there will be a conversation between me and him in the summer.

“If a deal can be done, then it can, but if not then we wish him well.

“Let’s just see what happens. I am not ruling it out. It’s got to be right for the club, and most importantly it’s got to be right for the player.

“I got on well with him at Newcastle and we are very good friends off the field and on it.

“I don’t see it having a negative impact. It will only add more quality and positivity to the squad.”

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Colchester United would be securing a "double victory" this weekend should they get the better of Notts County, claims former U's midfielder Kemal Izzet.

John McGreal's men are 11th in the table and fourth points adrift of seventh-placed Coventry City, while the Magpies sit fifth in the table, six points clear of eighth place.

“This weekend’s game is a massive one, as far as I’m concerned,” Izzet, who currently manages Stanway Rovers, told the Gazette News.

“Beating Notts County would almost be like a double victory because they’re another side up there in the table.

“Colchester would take three points and, at the same time, stop their opponents adding to their tally.

“They have to show up and be clinical - an area that let them down last weekend, apparently - and for me it’s make or break.

“If they win, they’ll claw back one of their main rivals but if they lose it could be game over. I suspect that would be them done.”

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What's been happening in League Two over the last week?

Here is Pride of Nottingham's round-up of the biggest League Two news from the last seven days.

- Elliott Whitehouse scored the only goal of the game as Lincoln City beat Shrewsbury Town 1-0 to win the EFL Trophy final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.

- Crewe Alexandra have extended the contracts of goalkeeper Dave Richards, until 2019 with a year option, and forward Owen Dale, until 2020 with a two-year option.

- Cambridge United defender Greg Taylor has signed a new two-year deal to keep him at the club until 2020.

- Watford have poured cold water on speculation linking them with Stevenage and England Under-19 defender Ben Wilmot, saying they had pursued him in January but have since moved on.

- Dermot Drummy killed himself six months after losing his job at Crawley Town, an inquest heard. The club sacked Drummy in May 2017, and he went on to seek counselling for his "low mood".

- Accrington Stanley's John Coleman has won the EFL League Two Manager of the Month award for March, while Cheltenham's Eisa is the Player of the Month.

- Crawley Town's Karlan Ahearne Grant, Crewe Alexandra's Jordan Bowery, Cheltenham Town's Mohamed Eisa, Morecambe's Sam Lavelle, Coventry City's Marc McNulty and Lincoln City's Ollie Palmer have been nominated for the PFA Player of the Month award.

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Kevin Nolan has claimed that Notts County are ready for every possible outcome in terms of where they'll finish this season in League Two.

With just four fixtures left, it's all up for grabs in the upper echelons of the table - the Magpies look likely to clinch a playoff spot, but automatic promotion is not an impossibility.

Currently four points behind third-placed Wycombe Wanderers (who, like fourth-placed Exeter City, have a game in hand), Notts are still very much in with a shout, and Nolan is prepared for every eventuality.

“We will see what happens come May 5, see where we are and then reassess,” Nolan told the Nottingham Post. “We will be ready for every possible outcome and we will give it a good go.

“We are all going to give it 110 per cent and try our best to achieve what wasn’t set out to be at the start of the season. We’ve got an opportunity so why not dream and go for it.”

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Kevin Nolan has praised midfielder Matty Virtue for his performance against Coventry City.

The on-loan Liverpool youngster was deployed on the right wing, despite the fact he usually plays in the centre of the park, in the 2-1 win over the Sky Blues.

Virtue, who had received criticism prior to Saturday's League Two game, produced an impressive performance and was rightly lauded by the fanbase.

“I thought Matty Virtue was very unfortunate because in every game he plays he usually gets a chance,” Nolan told the Nottingham Post..

“He didn’t get one on Saturday, but I was delighted for him because I thought he played very well.

“He’s got a bit of Jorge about him in that he will get good opportunities. And I must say Jorgie looked back to his old self in that he did lots of hard work off the ball. But Matty was fantastic all game and so was Jorge.”

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Notts County boss Kevin Nolan has described Richard Duffy as his "most outstanding" player of the season and claims that "people giving him stick don’t know too much about football".

The defender has flattered to deceive on many occasions this season but put in a good performance as the Magpies ran out 2-1 winners over League Two promotion rivals Coventry City at Meadow Lane.

In recent weeks, some fans have been calling for Duffy to be dropped in favour of a central defensive partnership consisting of Shaun Brisley and Ben Hall.

Nolan, however, says the former Wales international has had an amazing season in the heart of the back-four.

“Duffer has probably been the most outstanding performer all season long,” he told the Nottingham Post. “He goes under the radar and some people give him stick.

“I think it’s because the way he looks more than anything because he doesn’t look like a typical League Two centre-back who is 6ft 4in and heads everything.

“I’ve been in the game a long, long, time now and I don’t understand a lot of the stick that players get.

“People giving him stick don’t know too much about football. That’s my view on it because if you’re a footballer then you know what he brings to your team and what he does.

“His reading of the game is first class and he’s been brilliant since I came in. His character and the way he leads people is a credit to him.

“It’s a fantastic attribute he has got and that’s why he’s been ever present for me all season.

"He has been one of the best players and he and Bris have had a fantastic partnership.

“Then Ben Hall comes in and he has put them under real pressure to perform because he’s waiting in the wings.”

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Leyton Orient midfielder Charley Barker will reportedly play in a friendly match for Notts County on Tuesday, according to Gloucestershire Live.

The 19-year-old recently spent time on trial at Cheltenham Town, making three appearances for their reserve team.

According to the local outlet, Barker is unlikely to feature in the Robins' Central League fixture at Plymouth Argyle on Tuesday, with County keen to have a look at him.

Barker is on the books of the National League side as a third year scholar, but is believed to be attracting interest from several Football League clubs.

Orient boss Justin Edinburgh is quoted by Gloucestershire Live as saying: “Charley has been made aware he will not be getting a pro deal at Leyton Orient.

"So what we are trying to do is give him and others an opportunity to get ahead of the game and try to secure themselves a contract elsewhere."

Magpies boss Kevin Nolan spent time in charge of Orient in 2016 and his assistant Richard Thomas was Barker's youth team coach at the East London club.

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Notts County manager Kevin Nolan has confirmed that his touchline dismissal against Wycombe Wanderers was punished by a fine.

The Magpies boss was sent to the stands during Good Friday's goalless draw with the Chairboys when he protested a decision not to award Shola Ameobi a first half penalty.

There was a fear Nolan would receive a touchline ban for the dismissal - which he said he would appeal - but he told the Nottingham Post on Monday that the punishment was financial.

“I thought the ref and the fourth official for the Coventry game were great,” Nolan said.

“The fourth official managed the game, he wasn’t a mute, he spoke and even when I didn't agree at least we could have a chat.

“That’s all you want when, against Wycombe, we didn’t get that and now I am being fined for something when I don’t believe I should be.

“I’ve heard back and got a letter through and it’s just a fine which is disappointing.

“It does not even state a lot of things in the letter because there are a lot of things he can’t remember.

“That just sums it up for me. I am a bit disappointed. But I might catch the chairman on the good day and ask him for a loan!”

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Kevin Nolan has admitted that he doesn't "mind being proven wrong" as Jonathan Forte scored a brace to help Notts County run out 2-1 winners over Coventry City.

The 31-year-old has struggled for minutes this term, but took his opportunity wonderfully on Saturday by grabbing two goals either side of a Sky Blues equalised.

"Jonathan is a quiet lad and gets on with his business," Nolan told the Nottingham Post.

"He has been left out of squads and has something to prove, whether it is to me or anyone else.

"He has proven he can score goals at this level and I don't mind being proven wrong.

"I could have played Lewis Alessandra but I went with Jonathan because I thought he did well at Accrington last week.

"I was delighted for him because he took his two goals fantastically well and he ran himself in to the ground."

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Notts County returned to winning ways as Jonathan Forte's brace sealed a 2-1 victory over League Two promotion rivals Coventry City at Meadow Lane.

Pride of Nottingham-sponsored Forte broke the deadlock when he glanced in Jorge Grant's corner in the 60th minute.

Coventry equalised in the 85th minute as substitute Jordan Ponticelli deceived goalkeeper Adam Collin with a deft flick into the back of the net.

However, the Magpies responded immediately when Forte got a touch on Shola Ameobi's low cross to secure a vital three points.

Notts had not won in their last four games but victory leaves them four points off the automatic promotion spots and five ahead of their opponents, who hold the final playoff place.

Relive the key moments from this game with the official match highlights, which we have shared here on PON for you.

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Kevin Nolan was impressed with Notts County's character and resolve as they got back to winning ways with a 2-1 win over Coventry City on Saturday.

Pride of Nottingham-sponsored Jonathan Forte was the hero of the day at Meadow Lane with a crucial brace ensuring that Jordan Ponticelli's equalising flick would prove little more than a consolation.

The result saw Notts end a run of four games without a win and reignited their promotion hopes, with a top-seven finish still very much on the menu.

“I thought the lads were terrific and they got their rewards in the end,” Nolan told the Nottingham Post.

“I think the reaction shows just how big it is to get a result here for other teams given the way Coventry celebrated the equaliser.

“But I thought the way we handled it, and that bit of quality and the goal we scored was fantastic.

“We deserved it and we looked back to our old selves. We were really pleasing on the eye and it was a good reaction from the players.

“I have spoken all season about the character this squad has and they’ve been questioned over the last few weeks and rightly so in some cases.

“But we should never question what this squad have done for this club. They are standing up to the test and I am delighted for them.

“We will go back to work Monday and look forward to another tough test at Colchester.”

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Notts County captain Michael O’Connor has expressed his delight at closing the chapter on the hardest year of his career in returning from a long-term injury.

The midfielder had been out for almost a year after damaging his ligaments and meniscus in the Magpies' 3-1 loss to Portsmouth last April.

Following surgery and months of rehabilitation, O'Connor made his long-awaited comeback in Easter Monday’s clash at Accrington, where he played the last 13 minutes of the 1-0 defeat.

The 31-year-old says the recovery period has been tough, but is hoping he can now play a part in the last few games of the season.

“The longest period of time I have been out for before I got this injury was 13 weeks after having a groin operation when I was at Port Vale,” O’Connor told the Nottingham Post.

“It’s been hard, probably the hardest year of my career having to sit on the sidelines and watch the boys do so well.

“It’s obviously brilliant that they have had that success but I want to be a part of it. There are still seven games left so hopefully I can play some part.

“I’ve been getting closer to fitness for the last few weeks and I’ve played in three reserve games too so I’m available and raring to go.”

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