Notts County 2 - 1 Colchester United

Much better.

After a truly insipid performance shown on Saturday against Fleetwood, Notts County have given a stronger (though not quite the full product yet) account of themselves tonight against Colchester United, and despite riding their luck for large parts of the game, went on to seal a 2-1 win against their opposition at Meadow Lane.

The Magpies started well, Liam Noble firing a shot on goal after just two minutes, but Sam Walker in the U's goal was able to save with ease.

However, just four minutes later, the home side were already on the scoresheet. Nicky Wroe played in Ronan Murray, who slotted the ball past the goalkeeper to make it 1-0 to Notts, much to the delight of the home crowd.

And just two minutes later, Gary Jones sent in a dangerous free kick, but this time there was no connection and the U's got away scot-free.

Colchester did, however, up their tempo thereafter, and Roy Carroll had to be at his best to thwart chances from Jabo Ibehre and Dominic Vose, particularly in the 35th minute when the ex-Manchester United keeper pulled off a spectacular save with his leg from the former.

The half-time whistle came as a relief, as Notts found themselves with their backs to the wall towards the latter stages of the opening 45.

Early the second half, Tom Eastman came close to slicing the ball into his own net following some early Notts pressure, but the resulting corner from Jones was cleared away.

The U's subsequently cranked up the pressure again, and Freddie Sears was sent clear through on goal on the hour, but Carroll pulled off another great save to deny the ex-West Ham striker.

Ten minutes later, however, Sears succeeded in breaching the Notts clean sheet, having been given a second chance one-on-one with the Magpies goalkeeper. This time, the 24-year-old slotting the ball underneath Carroll.

And then the drama began. First, Shaun Derry was sent to the stands for arguing with the match officials.

Just as it looked like it was all going to unravel, Liam Noble then struck what could be described, among many other superlatives, as an early contender for League One goal of the season, trying his luck from around 30 yards and curling the ball past Walker into the net.

Then young Cieron Keane, just four days past his 18th birthday, found himself sent off after accruing a second yellow card.

Mustapha Dumbuya had a wonderful chance to bury the game in the 83rd minute after controlling a rebounded shot, but he blasted wide.

And then, yet more drama, Wroe was then sent off right at the end of regulation time, leaving Notts with NINE men on the pitch and six minutes of injury time left to play.

Sears very nearly bagged his brace during this period, but luckily he blasted wide, and luckily, the final whistle would blow without any more significant actions taking place, with Notts claiming all three points.

Derry will, however, have to realise what a pyrrhic victory this was, as his already depleted squad now finds itself two further men down for the next game, courtesy of suspensions.