Stevenage’s short-lived unbeaten run was ended by Notts County’s first home win of 2016.

Darren Sarll’s men managed to hold out until the 80th minute when Jon Stead teed up Liam Noble to fire the Magpies to all three points.

Stevenage had gone into the game having draw against Oxford United, beaten Luton Town and picked up a point at home to Yeovil Town on Tuesday, but against Mark Cooper’s side were short of creativity in the final third, a fact that ultimately cost them the game and handed Cooper the first win of his reign as boss.

Boro, having played the same XI for their previous two games, made four changes for this one as in came Chris Whelpdale, Dale Gorman, Tom Conlon and Aaron O’Connor while there were injuries to both Jake Mulraney and Greg Luer and Ben Kennedy and Dean Parrett dropped to the bench.

County thought that they had taken the lead in the first half, but Stead’s outstanding volley was ruled out for offside. Stevenage’s top scorer this season, Whelpdale, then found Fraser Franks with a free-kick but he was thwarted by a save from Scott Loach.

Noble then fired the home side to all three points with 10 minutes to go and Stevenage were unable to find a reply.

Notts County: Loach, Hollis, Noble, Hewitt, Valencic (Sharpe 90), Campbell (McLeod 62), Atkinson, Stead, Audel, Aborah, Edwards. Subs: Carroll, Amevor, Murray, Sarpong, Gibson.

Stevenage: Jones, Henry, Wilkinson, Wells, Franks, Tonge, Gorman, Pritchard (Adams 45), Whelpdale (Harrison 46), Conlon, O’Conoor (Kennedy 79). Subs: Day, Pett, Parrett, Okimo.

Att: 4,172 (218 away)