Notts County clinch all three points in exhilarating Hartlepool clash

Notts County surged into a two-goal half time lead against Hartlepool, relinquished it, and went on to win 3-2 in a topsy-turvy League Two clash at Victoria Park - Jamie Fullarton's third away win, and third victory in his five games so far.

Just four minutes of the first half passed when Jon Stead stole the ball in midfield, powered down the pitch and nonchalantly lashed the ball from range into the top corner of the net.

The hosts attempted to mount a fightback in the ensuing minutes, Michael Woods attempting a drive from long range which flew well over Roy Carroll's bar.

In the 13th minute, however, the Magpies were two goals to the good, with Elliott Hewitt's cross just out of Izale McLeod's range but landing perfectly to Liam Noble, who slotted home to send the visiting fans into a frenzy.

Hartlepool lost their shape after that and found themselves on the receiving end of a number of Notts forays forward, Jason Banton twice coming close to adding a third for his side.

As the first half ebbed to a close, Craig Hignett's charges enjoyed more fruitful chances as Luke James came close to edging his side back with a shot from within the Magpies box, but Carroll was able to pull off a smart save and keep his side two goals up.

It proved a similar story after the restart as Notts continued to plug away at the Pools goal, with Noble’s deflected 50th-minute shot edging just the wrong side of the post.

The hosts, however, picked themselves up and halved the deficit just after the hour, courtesy of Jake Gray’s shot from the inside right channel which flew past Carroll, off the far post and into the net.

Just four minutes later they were level as Nathan Thomas found space on the left and whipped a low ball across, which Billy Paynter finished off.

As the game edged into the latter stages, Notts surprised everyone in the crowd by suddenly taking the lead again, a corner falling to a dumbfounded Stead, whose header looped into an unmarked net.

A shocking five minutes of injury time were announced at the end of the game and Notts were forced to withstand a barrage of Pools attacks, Thomas rifling just wide of Carroll's post, but Jamie Fullarton's charges were able to secure all three points.

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