Notts County 2 - 1 Hartlepool United FC: Notts County leapfrog opponents Hartlepool with win

A Jorge Grant screamer and Shola Ameobi's first Notts County goal ensured boss Kevin Nolan kept his unbeaten home record intact as they beat fellow strugglers Hartlepool 2-1 at Meadow Lane.

County were handed a golden opportunity to take the lead after 28 minutes as Lewis Hawkins handled the ball to gift the hosts a penalty.

But Ameobi's weak effort from the spot was pushed onto the post by goalkeeper Joe Fryer.

The striker made up for his miss shortly after the restart when Grant played a fine ball through to the forward who fired a low strike into the bottom-left corner of the net.

The hosts doubled their lead in emphatic fashion thanks to a 20-yard screamer from Nottingham Forest loanee Grant, who has now scored four goals in his last six games.

The visitors pulled a goal back eight minutes later when Haydn Hollis put the ball into his own net, but it was not enough as the Magpies held on to take all three points.