Notts County 2 Colchester United 1

Mikael Mandron conceded a penalty and then missed a penalty, but Colchester United seemed to have rescued a point thanks to Sanmi Odelusi’s 89th minute equaliser, only for high-flying Notts County to net an injury-time winner this afternoon.

Shola Ameobi was the lethal spot kick marksman for the Magpies, and Ryan Yates then grabbed a 93rd minute winner after Odelusi’s late intervention.

Notts County’s increased pressure in the second half was rewarded with a penalty, which ex-Newcastle United striker Ameobi converted in the 68th minute.

Mandron was adjudged to have pushed Yates, on the front edge of the six-yard box – it looked a clumsy challenge by the U’s striker – and Ameobi lifted the penalty high into the roof of the net.

Nine minutes later and the U’s were awarded a penalty themselves, when Ryan Jackson was shoved over in the box by Jorge Grant.

But Mandron’s spot kick was comfortably saved by keeper Ross Fitzsimons, which seemed to have cost the U’s the chance of a point.

However, introduced as an 86th minute substitute, Odelusi burst clear of the Magpies defence to slot a low shot past keeper Fitzsimons for an unlikely equaliser.

But there was still time for Yates to prod home at the far post from a corner, to break Colchester hearts.

After a quiet first 10 minutes, Magpies’ right-back Matt Tootle was shown the yellow card for a late challenge on Tom Lapslie.

The U’s then had a sight of goal when Mandron had penalty appeals turned down, after he was grounded while trying to meet Brandon Comley’s teasing cross.

Seconds later and Mandron drilled the U’s first goal attempt into the side-netting, from 15 yards out.

Mandron was close to an opening goal in the 19th minute. His firm header, from Comley’s corner, seemed to be heading for the net until team-mate Tom Eastman stuck out a boot and inadvertently diverted the ball wide of the far post.

Notts County posed virtually no attacking threat for the first half-hour, until Shola Ameobi teed up fellow striker Lewis Alessandra, whose low drive was easily saved by Sam Walker on 31 minutes.

Eastman was in the right place to deny County an opening goal in the 38th minute, robbing Yates just as the midfielder was aiming to sweep home from the edge of the six-yard box.

Into first-half stoppage time and Eastman was not far adrift with a header that looped over the bar.

It was cat-and-mouse at the start of the second half, although Frankie Kent did well to block Alessandra’s effort at point blank range from close in on 58 minutes.

A minute later and Eastman blocked a fierce drive by leading scorer Jorge Grant, before Walker smothered the follow-up 20-yard effort by left-back Carl Dickinson.

The U’s were coming under increasing pressure, and Ameobi had a header deflected wide from Dickinson’s excellent delivery.

However, the Magpies were awarded a penalty from the ensuing corner, for Mandron’s foul on Yates, and Ameobi dispatched the spot kick to put the hosts 1-0 up.

It continued to be backs-to-the-wall stuff from the visitors, although Inniss did head over the top with a half-chance in the 71st minute.

The U’s had a golden opportunity to equalise in the 77th minute, when they were awarded a penalty for Grant’s foul on Jackson.

However, Mandron’s rather tame spot kick was well saved by Fitzsimons.

Odelusi then come up trumps with a late equaliser, only for Yates to steal an injury-time winner for the Magpies.

Squads

NOTTS COUNTY: Fitzsimons, Tootle, Brisley, Duffy (sub Milsom, 82), Dickinson, Hawkbridge (sub Jones, 90+2), Yates, Hewitt, Grant, Alessandra (sub Smith, 90+4), Ameobi. Unused subs: Pindroch, Hunt, Walker, Saunders.

COLCHESTER: Walker, Eastman, Inniss, Kent, Jackson, Lapslie (sub Odeulsi, 86), Comley, Vincent-Young (sub Reid, 88), Wright (sub Kinsella, 90), Szmodics, Mandron. Unsued subs: Gilmartin, Hanlan, Slater, James.

Referee: Mark Heywood (West Yorks)

Attendance: 6,717