Former Huddersfield and Bradford striker Jon Stead the standout player for our man Layth Yousif

Stevenage

Chris Day: 7. Alert to danger, and quick to react. Came off his line when required. Echoes of the great Pat Jennings in the way he’s not afraid to use his feet when making a save.

Fraser Franks: 6.5. The former Luton man made some no-nonsense challenges early on to show his man who was boss. Uncompromising display aided by dangerous throw-ins deep in County territory at times. A good solid league debut for the Boro.

Mark Hughes: 6.5. The former Morecambe man was consistent throughout, giving a commanding performance. Generally held the line well and a good organiser. Will have enjoyed his battle with former Premier League player Stead.

Steven Schumacher: 6. Captain. His streetwise nous shone through when doing the simple things well in the hustle and bustle of a crowded midfield. Subbed on 65 mins.

Brett Williams: 6. Worked hard to get into the game and never stopped working.

Dean Parrett: 6.5. Combative and relished the battle giving his all to the cause. Dropped deep to look for the ball. Good honest pro.

Dean Wells: 7. Good organiser and cleared his lines well. Involved in vital blocks which showed good timing as well as bravery. Can be pleased with his display if not the result.

Dipo Akinyemi: 6. Slotted wide from two yards on the quarter hour mark, but at least the youngster was in the right position to have a go. Always looked lively but struggled to impose himself. Subbed for the unfortunate Hitchcock.

Charlie Lee: 6. Tried his best in the heat but struggled to impose his authority – even if it wasn’t for want of trying as he gave his all - as he always does.

Jerome Okimo: 6.5. Never conceded an inch and stuck to his defensive duties manfully, winning his fair share in the air too.

Tom Conlon: 7.5. Confident display from the youngster. His dead balls may require more composure but the fact he always volunteered to take them shows the teenager has a strong character. Not afraid to shoot in open play either. Deserved his ovation on being subbed for Pett on 75 minutes - with Teddy Sheringham telling me afterwards the young man has a good future in the game if he keeps working as hard as this display.

Subs

50 Ben Jackson

4 Jamie McCombe

11 Tom Pett: 6.5. On for the whole-hearted Conlon on 75 minutes.

12 David McAllister: 6.5. On for captain Schumacher. Slotted in well with good distribution.

15 Tom Hitchcock: 6. On for Akinyemi on 65 minutes. A hot afternoon but never stopped running. Did he deserve his late sending off?

27 Ryan Johnson

34 Dale Gorman

Notts County

1 Roy Carroll: 6.5. The vocal former Manchester United man showed his experience on many levels - whether it be organisational skills, distribution and shot-stopping, or his command of his area which on occasions required an alert referee.

2 Mawouna Amevor: 7. Elegant with good technique, but would have been good to see him tested more defensively. Followed up Day’s parry to slot in late on to make it 2-0. Did the referee overreact with his and Hitchcock’s late sending off?

15 Curtis Thompson: 7. Scorer of the first league goal at The Lamex during Teddy Sheringham’s reign with a good finish after a probing ball in from Stead. Silky touch but inconsistent. Booked for a late challenge on Conlon.

16 Liam Noble: 6.5. Late with a challenge which saw Parrett’s subsequent free-kick eventually arrowed over the bar by Hitchcock.

25 Kyle de Silva: 6.5. Lively, but struggled with providing an end product. Hit ball straight at Day when well-placed early in the second half. Subbed for Snijders.

27 Julian Jenner: 6.5. Showed glimpses of a good technique but was sometimes too lackadaisical in clearing his lines when under pressure. Booked

28 Gill Swerts: 6.5. Liked to play a high line at times which could have been tested with more pace in the home attack.

30 Jon Stead: 8. The veteran gave a trademark performance as he held the ball up well, and won important flicks. Always a handful. Involved heavily in both goals. Played a superb ball in for Thompson to net in the first half, with his low shot late on that Day did well to parry, falling to Amevor to slot in.

31 Thierry Audel: 7. Good in the air, strong and pacy. Day did well to get down low to save a header from him near the end.

32 Civard Sprockel: 5.5. Anonymous. Subbed.

33 Stanley Aborah: 6.5. Abrasive challenge early on from the creative player but didn’t influence proceedings as much as his undoubted talent required him to.

Subs

13 Scott Loach

5 Scot Bennett: 6.5. Solid in the air and on the deck.

6 Haydn Hollis

9 Jimmy Spencer

11 Genaro Snijders: 6.5. On for the mercurial de Silva. Direct runner.

24 Adam Campbell

26 Graham Burke