Scunthorpe United 1 - 2 Notts County

Once again, Notts County rode their luck, but once again, the result went their way, as Shaun Derry's side eked out a 2-1 win away at Scunthorpe United in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

Paddy Madden scored the opening goal following a defensive slip-up by Blair Adams, but Stephen McLaughlin and Ronan Murray pulled the match back in their favour, the Magpies doing enough to hang onto the win.

After a scrappy opening period, Hawkridge was responsible for the first chance in the ninth minute, but his effort after marauding on goal was tame and easily saved by Fabian Spiess.

On the quarter-hour mark, however, Notts suffered a setback when Adams slipped and allowed Madden to take control of the ball, bear down on goal and slot past the German stopper to give his side the lead.

The advantage lasted all of nine minutes, as a loose ball in the Iron box following a free kick was met by on-loan man McLaughlin, who fired home to level proceedings.

Things would get better for the Magpies just after the half-hour mark, young Drissa Traore sending a wonderful ball the way of Murray, before the Irishman sent a classy finish past Robert Olejnik to turn the match around on its head.

Scunthorpe set about trying to pull themselves back into the game, and nearly scored with five minutes to go in the first half through former Notts skipper Neal Bishop, but the midfielder fired wide.

The second half, as with several other second halves involving County this season, were a case of backs to the wall, as the opposition cranked it up a gear and launched forward at every opportunity.

Notts had their chances, but the Iron managed to get the ball into the visitors' net not once but twice, both efforts being disallowed for offside and infringement respectively.

Nevertheless, Derry's charges were able to see the game out and secure the win, ensuring that the Meadow Lane outfit remained eight games unbeaten.