Match Report: Shola Ameobi brace helps Notts County to victory over Colchester United

Another matchday, another impressive Notts County performance as Kevin Nolan's genius continues to translate to his team, the Magpies claiming a 3-1 win over Colchester United in Saturday's League Two clash at Meadow Lane.

The hosts began brightly and were ahead after just seven minutes as Haydn Hollis nodded home after a goalmouth scramble which saw Shola Ameobi and Jon Stead come close right before the defender made sure of the goal.

Colchester were level midway through the first half, however, with a strike out of nowhere as Chris Porter let rip from long distance and found the top corner of the Notts net.

However, Notts went into the changing rooms back in front thanks to Ameobi, who struck a superb half-volley from the edge of the box into the net ten minutes before the break.

John McGreal sent his players out early for the second half, but they couldn't stop the hosts, who should have made it 3-1 when Jorge Grant's cutback was steered wide by Stead.

The third goal eventually came in the 73rd minute as Grant's pinpoint free-kick was headed in by Ameobi for his brace, and the home side held out until the final whistle.

Although Notts have not built on their 13-point gap between themselves and the bottom two, due to Newport's 1-0 win over Crawley, just six more points from their last six games will ensure that they cannot be caught up by the Exiles.

Share your thoughts about this week's match on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans.