Match Report: Jorge Grant brace helps Notts County to solid win over Chesterfield

A superb two-goal performance from Notts County substitute Jorge Grant has helped Kevin Nolan's side to a 2-0 win over Chesterfield in their first home game of the 2017/18 League Two season.

Both the Magpies and Spireites had lost their first game of the league campaign and were also knocked out of the League Cup, but despite the visitors' thuggish gameplay, Notts emerged triumphant thanks to the man of the moment.

Many Notts fans were surprised by Nolan's decision to revert to the bulk of the side that started the 3-0 hammering at Coventry City, save for Ryan Yates replacing Liam Walker in midfield.

The opening 20 minutes proved pretty uneventful, with Chesterfield registering the first effort of note as Louis Reed flashed a shot wide of the Notts post on 22 minutes.

Shortly before the half-hour mark, Gozie Ugwu clashed with Elliott Hewitt in an off-the-ball incident, an incident which should really have warranted a red card, but the referee only showed him a yellow.

Notts then stepped it up a gear, Shola Ameobi going through on goal after a Reed slip, but opposition goalkeeper Sam Hird pulled off a smart save to force a corner.

On 34 minutes, however, Ugwu had arguably the best chance of the game so far when he was put clean through, but Adam Collin made a save low down.

Normal service resumed afterwards as Notts weighed in with several more chances and, shortly before the break, Gary Caldwell's charges went down to 10 men after Terry Hawkridge was brought down by Scott Wiseman, denying him a clear goalscoring opportunity.

There was yet more room for controversy as Ugwu fouled Richard Duffy to earn himself a final talking-to by the ref, and his manager saw fit to take him off at the break.

Within a minute of the restart, Dion Donohue came close to open the scoring, but he hesitated and Duffy managed to charge his shot down.

The game changed entirely when Grant came on 53 minutes, as he broke the deadlock on the hour mark. Matt Tootle's free kick nodded by the loanee past Chesterfield goalkeeper Joe Anyon and into the net.

Notts could have had a second shortly afterwards when Stead was put through by Ameobi, but just as he had a go, he was barged into by Ian Evatt, the effort being saved and put out for a corner.

Nonetheless, the Magpies would go on to seal the deal late on in the game, Jonathan Forte winning a free kick just outside the box and Grant curling a wonderful effort into the bottom corner.

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