Strikers hit five past Hucknall

Notts County's pre-season goal glut gathered pace again this evening as all three strikers found the net in the 5-2 rout of local outfit Hucknall Town.

Double up: Hat-trick hero, Weir-Daley scored just three league goals last season...

Their five-goal salvo provided a timely boost for the Magpies' attacking woes, even though McParland's men still looked light in attack.

After last season's strikers managed a paltry 10 league goals between them, however, tonight's offerings were just the tonic for the travelling Magpies contingent.

In fact, it took just 15 minutes for Notts to break the deadlock, as veteran Jamie Forrester converted his penalty after clever hold up from the former Lincoln City man.

Not to be outdone, Spencer Weir-Daley -the sole survivor from the summer clear out of the club's forwards -took just minutes to double the Magpies' lead, before adding a third inside 25 minutes.

His goals put pain to the doubters who'd questioned his credentials, with the former Forest youngster looking assured in front of goal, particularly for his first in sliding the ball under the onrushing Hucknall 'keeper.

Worryingly, the second half saw the hosts begin to creep back into the tie with a well taken goal after approach play that genuinely belied their lowly league status.

Notts, however, introduced trialist Ben Fairclough to good effect on the hour, opening doors for Weir-Daley to complete a well-deserved hat-trick before netting a diving header for himself with 20 minutes remaining.

His pace was a constant menace, and was recognised by a crunching tackle from the Magpies' lowly opposition, whose frustrations began to show despite a late consolation effort from a quickly taken free-kick.

Five goals from the club's two full-time and one relief striker was a good return for McParland's men, who will take heart from the outstanding displays of Fairclough and loanee Jason Beardsley.