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Notts County have confirmed that Kevin Nolan has left his role as first-team manager. Assistant manager Richard Thomas "has also been relieved of his duties", suggesting that both individuals have been sacked rather than resigning. The Magpies have struggled in League Two this season, with an opening-day draw with Colchester United followed by four straight defeats to leave the club bottom of the table. Steve Chettle and Mark Crossley will take charge of first-team affairs until a new manager is appointed. “This is a decision we’ve made with the best interests of Notts County at heart,” wrote owner and chairman Alan Hardy on the club website. “While the beginning of our 2018-19 campaign has been bitterly disappointing, the board and I believe results and performances throughout 2018 have not been good enough overall. “The last eight months have seen us win only eight of our 28 Sky Bet League Two matches, a run which saw us surrender our position in the automatic promotion places before suffering defeat in the playoff semi-finals. “Our away form has also been a continuing concern, with only two league victories recorded on the road since the turn of the year. “Ultimately, a continuation of this form would not allow us to meet our targets for the season and, having conceded 16 goals in our last five matches and being without a win in our last 10 competitive games, we feel now is the time to move forward with a new manager at the helm. “Everybody knows of my desire to restore the fortunes of the world’s oldest Football League club and I have invested substantial monies to strengthen our playing squad in the summer. “Our supporters have responded magnificently by turning out in their droves but, unfortunately, their efforts have not been backed up by performances on the pitch. “This club will nevertheless always owe Kevin a huge debt of gratitude for his work in saving us from relegation from the EFL when I first arrived in January 2017. “It was a truly remarkable turnaround and we wish him and his team every success in the future.” Share your thoughts about this news story 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. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Notts County have lost their fourth League Two match on the trot as Lincoln City ran out 3-1 winners in Saturday's match at Sincil Bank. The Magpies, if we're not being too harsh, could do little about the opening goal, a superb effort from Imps captain Lee Frecklington. Andy Kellett had headed clear but the ball fell to Frecklington, who sidefooted a ferocious volley from about 25 yards out which gave Ross Fitzsimons no chance. And then Notts did manage to pull level as Kellett struck a low free kick which evaded everyone and nestled into the back of the home side's net. Things then began going wrong when skipper Richard Duffy suffered a knee injury and was replaced by Terry Hawkridge, with Matt Tootle dropping into the back three. And then Kevin Nolan's side were behind once again when Bruno Andrade restored Lincoln’s lead with a tidy volley before the break. Things continued to go from bad to worse and eventually Notts were killed off when Michael O'Connor worked the ball wide to Andrade, whose cross was turned home by Anderson. The result leaves Notts rock bottom of the table and alarm bells are now ringing loudly at Meadow Lane. Share your thoughts about the 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. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Head to head Notts County and Lincoln City have met a total of 68 times in competitive matches over the years. The first fixture took the place all the way back in November 1893, a Division Two game in Nottingham which resulted in an away win for the Imps. The record currently stands at 35 wins for Notts, 16 defeats, and 17 draws. Last season Notts ran out 4-1 winners against Lincoln at Meadow Lane, lost 2-1 in the EFL Trophy and drew 2-2 at Sincil Bank in the league. History Lincoln City were officially formed in 1884 as an amateur association - even though there had been a team playing since the 1860s - and turned professional in the 1891-92 season. The following season, Lincoln became one of the 12 founder members of the Second Division alongside Small Heath, Sheffield Utd, Darwen, Grimsby, Ardwick, Burton Swifts, Northwich Victoria, Bootle, Crewe, Burslem, Port Vale and Walsall T. Swifts. In 1895, Lincoln moved to Sincil Bank from the John O'Gaunts ground. They drew their first game at Sincil Bank 0-0 with Gainsborough Trinity and also drew their first League game 1-1 with Woolwich Arsenal. Lincoln never won a major trophy in their history but did secure the EFL Trophy last season, beating Shrewsbury Town 1-0 at Wembley in the final. They also got their hands on the Division 3 (North) title three times, in 1932, 1948, and 1952, as well as winning League Two in 1976 and claiming the premier non-league title in 1988 and 2017. Two seasons ago, the Imps made history by becoming the first non-league side to reach the quarter-finals of the FA Cup since Queens Park Rangers in 1914. Lincoln developed from the Roman town of Lindum Colonia, which developed from an Iron Age settlement. Its major landmarks are Lincoln Cathedral, a famous example of English Gothic architecture, and Lincoln Castle, an 11th-century Norman castle. Stats Lincoln are winless in their last five meetings with Notts County in League Two (D2 L3), last winning in December 2008 in a 1-0 victory. Notts County have only won one of their last six visits to Sincil Bank in League Two (D3 L2), having won six visits in succession in the Football League before this run. Lincoln City striker John Akinde has scored three goals from three shots on target in League Two this season. Notts County have lost each of their last three league games, conceding 3+ goals in each match. The Magpies last lost more in succession in January 2017 when they suffered 10 consecutive defeats in League Two, Jon Stead was directly involved in three of Notts County's six league goals against Lincoln last season, scoring two and assisting one. Team news New Lincoln loan signing Sam Slocombe is pushing fellow goalkeeper Grant Smith for a starting place ahead of the visit of Notts County. The 30-year-old joined from Bristol Rovers earlier this week and was on the bench for Tuesday's 2-1 win over Bury, with the club unsure how long a thigh injury will keep out first-choice Josh Vickers. Harry Anderson could get a recall to the starting line-up after coming on at half-time and assisting in their second-half comeback. For Notts, Matt Tootle remains a doubt having missed the last three matches with a toe injury. On-loan Brighton centre-back Ben Hall is still out with a groin problem which had prevented him featuring this season. Share your thoughts about this Stat Attack preview piece 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. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Kevin Nolan has revealed that Notts County are in discussions with players over joining the club, providing they “can affect the group in the right way”. A centre-back and a central midfielder are thought to be top of the wanted list as the Magpies seek to overcome the difficult start to their season. “There is no movement as yet, but we have spoken to a number of players who are out of contract,” Nolan told the Nottingham Post. “We’ve spoken to a number of clubs too. “There are a lot of young boys in the group and some big personalities have gone from last season. “It’s got to be somebody who affects the group in the right way. “We’ve got interest in a couple of people, but it won’t be done unless the boss signs it off and then we can move forward.” Share your thoughts about this news story 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. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Kevin Nolan has responded to calls for him to be relieved of his Notts County duties by saying he would be as “surprised as anybody” if he was to be axed. The Magpies have endured a torrid start to the 2018-19 season, picking up just one point from their first four League Two games and shipping 13 goals in their last four matches in all competitions. “When I took over this job, I think a lot of the fans shouting now were probably asking why I got the job,” Nolan told the Nottingham Post. “Over the last 18 months, I’ve raised expectation and I don’t feel that I should have credit. “This was a process. Year one was to stay up, year two was that a top-10 finish would be okay and year three was going for promotion. “We’ve still got a lot of time to do that. We’ve changed the squad dramatically and you can look at it from January, the last 10 games or whatever, but this is a totally different squad to last season. “For me to be thinking about losing my job, and if I did, I would be surprised as anybody. “I am surprised there are a lot of people shouting for that, but it is the world we live in. I’ve just got to accept it.” Share your thoughts about this news story 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. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Kevin Nolan has slammed his Notts County players for once again "gifting the opposition three goals" as they were beaten 3-2 at Newport County on Tuesday. The Magpies took the lead at Rodney Parade but conceded twice in a few first-half minutes, before drawing level close to full time only to concede a soft late goal shortly after. Notts have now conceded 10 in their last three league games and 13 in their last four in all competitions and Nolan was left to bemoan another defensive horror show. "The lads have gifted the opposition three goals again tonight," he said at full time. "You can't expect to come away from home, score two goals and not win or draw the game. "We spent lots of time on the training pitch yesterday doing set pieces - and we lost two goals to set pieces tonight. "We're getting it wrong at key moments in the game and it's simply not good enough for me. "What we've got to do now is make sure we roll our sleeves up because we go to Lincoln on Saturday and it's going to be a tough old day for us if we're not up for the battle." Share your thoughts about this news story 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. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Notts County remain winless this season and have dropped to the bottom of the League Two table following Tuesday's 3-2 loss at Newport County. The Magpies were under the cosh in the beginning but took the lead after 12 minutes when Enzio Boldewijn got past Dan Butler and crossed into the area for Kane Hemmings to fire into the net. However, as with Yeovil Town, Notts' leaky defence cost them as Fraser Franks was left unmarked to head home from a corner to level the scores. And then, Richard Duffy played an atrocious pass which Padraig Amond picked up and played into the path of Mark Harris, who scored to turn the game instantly around for the Welsh side. Credit to Ross Fitzsimons, he made a number of saves to keep us in the game, and it looked as though we'd leave Rodney Parade with a point when Boldewijn set up Kristian Dennis to fire beyond Joe Day. But the sucker punch came with only seconds remaining as yet another defensive horror move saw Amond nod the ball back across goal from a cross for Jamille Matt to break County hearts. Share your thoughts about the 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. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Kevin Nolan has admitted that Friday's 4-0 loss to Yeovil Town was the poorest performance he has seen Notts County put in at Meadow Lane. The Magpies are yet to win a competitive game this season and go into Tuesday's game at Newport County seeking to banish Friday's heavy defeat. "We think it's easily fixable, but it's alright saying that - we've got to go out and prove it," Nolan told the Nottingham Post. "We've all got to do it. Everybody has to take ownership of what happened on Friday night - me included. "I am at the top of that because my players, and my staff, are an extension of me. "One thing thing I've never done is shirk away from a fight and that's what we've got to do - fight our way back and show what we are about. "It wasn't acceptable but I must admit the fans were very good to us because they could have turned on a lot quicker than they did. "We were poor by our standards and that's the poorest I've seen us at Meadow Lane since I've been here which is a major statement. "For me, we've got to get it right and quickly and I am confident I can do that." Share your thoughts about this news story 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. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Kevin Nolan has urged his Notts County players not to point fingers at each other following their poor start to the League Two season. The Magpies are yet to win a competitive game this season and go into Tuesday's game at Newport County having fallen to a humiliating 4-0 home defeat to Yeovil Town. "This is where the players have to come together and dig in," Nolan told the Nottingham Post. "I know it's early days but they've got to believe in each other. "They can't stand their rollicking each other because that's easy to do when you lose a goal and start flinging your arms up. "When you're not playing well, the best medicine is that you tell that person in the right manner. "I don't want anybody pointing fingers at each other. I am nipping it in the bud before I see it. That's when they will have me coming down on them like a tonne of bricks." Share your thoughts about this news story 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. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Kevin Nolan has once again hammered the point that Notts County were "totally unacceptable" against Yeovil Town and questioned his players' desire. The Magpies defence was routinely sliced open as the Glovers ran out 4-0 winners, with Alex Fisher bagging an easy hat-trick and former Notts man Yoann Arquin adding the cherry on top. Notts were booed off at half-time and at the final whistle, with the Magpies now having conceded 10 goals in their last three games, and Nolan was not at all impressed with the abject display. “I can deal with being outplayed and the opposition have played us off the park,” he said. “But not when it is being outworked, not winning any second balls, not winning first contacts off anything. “We didn’t look like we had a desire. We are missing 50/50s and there was one time when one player went through two of ours. “Yeovil showed they wanted it more. That’s why they have come up trumps with a 4-0 win. “We weren’t us. We cannot put in another performance like that while I am here. It was totally unacceptable.” Share your thoughts about this news story 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. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Meadow Lane turned into a circus on Friday night as Notts County traded their football boots for clown shoes. Hell, had they actually played in those, it probably wouldn't have made a difference to the scoreline as a modest Yeovil Town side came to town and left with a 4-0 win. Frankly it's a miracle you even bothered to click on this match report at all so I won't waste your time, I'll keep it brief. Alex Fisher scored twice in the space of two minutes - 34 and 36 - as the Notts defence was sliced open like butter. The same man then latched onto a long ball and was given the freedom of the city of Nottingham to bear down on goal and complete his hat-trick. Then just to rub salt into the wounds, Kane Hemmings slammed what can only be deemed a "pity penalty" onto the woodwork and former Notts man Yoann Arquin added a fourth. This has already taken me five minutes to write - not to mention your one or two minutes reading through this - and frankly I think it's too much, so I'll leave it at that. Try to enjoy your weekend, forget about the football and let's leave it to Kevin Nolan to actually do his job and rally his troops after this, yeah? Share your thoughts about the farcical display 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. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Kevin Nolan has revealed that Notts County's players came into training today despite it originally being a scheduled day off due to their "unacceptable" display against Yeovil Town. The Magpies defence was routinely sliced open as the Glovers ran out 4-0 winners, with Alex Fisher bagging an easy hat-trick and former Notts man Yoann Arquin adding the cherry on top. Notts were booed off at half-time and at the final whistle, with the Magpies now having conceded 10 goals in their last three games, and Nolan was not at all impressed with the abject display. “There are lots of emotions running through me at the minute,” he told the Nottingham Post at full time. “But we got what we deserved because, quite frankly, when we talk about game plans, game management, not one of them have taken it on board. “It’s quite strange really because we worked our socks off on Thursday, but they’ve struggled under the lights and the expectancy of what’s been thrown at them. “But we’ve got to sort it out quickly because we have a game on Tuesday. We were supposed to be having a scheduled day off on Saturday but they will be in now. “They will watch it again and we’ve got to put it to bed and we’ve got to get better and quicker. “I’ve told the players who have watched me and have been with me for the last 18 months who know what I am about. “I’ve just told them that it was unacceptable in terms of my standards.” Share your thoughts about this news story 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. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Kevin Nolan has suggested that Kristian Dennis could make his first Notts County start in Friday's League Two meeting with Yeovil Town. The striker was left out of the squad for Tuesday’s EFL Cup trip to Middlesbrough to work on his fitness. Speaking a day before the Glovers clash, Nolan is confident that Dennis' extra grafting could see him involved from the off. “We kept him back because we felt he had a real chance of starting on Friday,” Nolan told the official Notts site. “He’s been on the periphery of the first team in the opening games and we manage all of the players’ fitness carefully, so we felt if we took him on Tuesday he might not have been ready for Yeovil. “We got him to do more running earlier this week because he’s a bit behind some of the boys so by keeping him back we’ve given him more chance of starting on Friday night.” Share your thoughts about this news story 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. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Kevin Nolan has declared himself proud of his Notts County charges as they took Middlesbrough all the way to penalties in Tuesday's EFL Cup first-round tie at the Riverside Stadium. In one of the games of the night, the Magpies took the lead three times, but the Championship high-flyers equalised each time to force the game to spot kicks, where the hosts held their nerve. Despite the defeat, Notts did not disgrace themselves by any means and Nolan was delighted with the output from his boys. “I am delighted with them,” he told the Nottingham Post. “There were so many good performances and I thought they handled the pressure really well. They were more than a match for Boro and I am proud of each and every one of them. “The character and the attitude they showed was tremendous. What I am hoping now is that they push on after this so we can get better as a team.” Share your thoughts about this news story 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. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Notts County have bowed out of the 2018-19 EFL Cup with their heads held high after taking Championship high-flyers Middlesbrough to a penalty shootout at the Riverside Stadium. The Magpies took the lead in the 20th minute as Terry Hawkridge's quick free kick released Jon Stead into the area, and the former Sunderland man squared for young debutant Tom Crawford to sweep home. County's lead lasted less than 10 minutes, however, as Ashley Fletcher steered in Grant Leadbitter's corner at the back post via a flick on from Daniel Ayala in the 27th minute. Just six minutes later, Notts surged ahead again when Stead turned on the right-hand edge of the Boro box and hit a low shot that beat Boro goalkeeper Lonergan at his near post. Boro then claimed a second equaliser a minute before half time, with Luxembourg international Enes Mahmutovic heading home from close range after Marvin Johnson stood up an inviting cross from the left. An exciting game then yielded a third Notts goal as Noor Husin drilled a low shot against the post, with Stead on hand to sweep home the rebound. Eventually the home side's pressure turned into yet another equaliser, as Fletcher added to his first after good work from Stephen Walker with 16 minutes to play. Neither side could be separated come the full-time whistle, so penalties would be needed to separate the two teams. Boro prevailed 4-3, with County's Stead and Jones seeing their penalties saved by Lonergan, while Boro converted all of theirs. Share your thoughts about this game 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. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Kevin Nolan has conceded that Notts County were powerless to stop Dongda He from leaving to join Wolverhampton Wanderers and admits that the Magpies are currently "at the bottom" of the footballing food chain. The Chinese teenager, who put in some impressive displays in pre-season, was signed by Wolves for an undisclosed fee last week, thus fulfilling his dream of joining a Premier League side. “Ultimately the kid wanted to go,” Nolan told the Nottingham Post. “The owners at Wolves wanted him and when they wanted somebody they get him. “We are at the bottom of the kingdom if you like. All we can do is scrap our way up there as quickly as possible so that we don’t lose our best young players. But if top clubs come calling this is what happens. Nothing we can do can stop that. “Ultimately as a youngster, you want to play at the top level. If they get that opportunity they are going to want to take it. “If we rejected the bid they would have taken us to a tribunal which is set at a number of years he has been with us. If it’s £100,000, £70,000, £50,000 - what’s that to a Premier League club? “We’ve got to get as much as possible. The boss worked tirelessly for the best deal for the club because we knew we were going to lose him. The boss did really well in getting the deal he did.” Share your thoughts about this news story 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. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Notts County boss Kevin Nolan has announced that Andy Kellett will make his full debut at Middlesbrough on Tuesday night. The Magpies get their EFL Cup campaign underway with a trip to Teesside where they will face the Championship side. “Andy will start on Tuesday, but Kristian [Dennis] will not,” Nolan told the Nottingham Post. “We’ve got a duty to make sure all the squad are given a fair chance. “We will be rotating like we did last year because it worked very well and the lads found it really good. “There will be a good few changes on Tuesday and because we have a quick turnaround and we are playing Friday [against Yeovil Town), we’ve got to manage who we play, and how we play.” Share your thoughts about this news story 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. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Do you know any budding young artists? Do you enjoy drawing? Are you a big Notts County fan? We at Pride of Nottingham are running a competition for young supporters to draw a picture of Pon Magpie, our mascot! Alan Hardy has done wonders to turn Notts into the family club it's supposed to be, and as County's premier fansite, we want to get young fans involved in this fun contest! Submit any photos of the artwork to the Pride of Nottingham social media pages, or as a message to the Pon Magpie Facebook page! We will choose a winner and share all the pictures via the PON website! The winner will also receive a large striped Notts County pennant or an alternative for around £10 from the club shop! Please help us spread the word! Share your thoughts 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. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Notts County midfielder Andy Kellett has praised the fact that nobody can "come off the gas" at Meadow Lane due to competition for places in the squad. The summer signing from Wigan Athletic missed the season-opening stalemate with Colchester United due to injury. Although Kellett is hoping to be fit for Saturday’s trip to Cambridge United, he is not expecting to be simply drafted into the starting XI. “The competition for places is very good because there are players in a number of positions," Kellett told the Nottingham Post. “It’s hard for everybody to know if they are going to be picked or not. “Where I’ve been previously you know you are getting in the team and you come off the gas a bit. “But here at Notts, you’ve always got to be on top of it.” Share your thoughts about this news story 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. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Kevin Nolan has claimed that every Notts County player had a "really solid game" in their 0-0 draw with Colchester United and that the first League Two home fixture of the season was always going to be "a bit jittery for everybody". The Magpies and the U's cancelled each other out in a fairly even game at Meadow Lane which, though not the most inspiring, still managed to yield a point and a clean sheet for the hosts. “The first game at home is always a bit jittery for everybody," Nolan told the Nottingham Post. "I just thought there were a lot of new faces, debuts made today and I don’t think anyone showed that they were a nine out of 10. “As a whole, we got sixes and sevens which is good. I don’t think anyone on the pitch has lit it up, I just think everyone’s had a really solid game and we’ve got through it. “We’ve got the clean sheet which is fantastic for us, keep clean sheets and then you only need one goal and with the talent we now have in the squad, we can get goals from all over the place. “We’re still finding our feet, I’ve got lots to be positive about.” Share your thoughts about this news story 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. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.