Thompson delighted with squad depth

Thompson - along with his counterpart Peter Taylor - made eight changes to his starting line-up for the clash at Selhurst Park, with five players making their first starts of the campaign.

But while Taylor's second string - including former Premiership stars Michael Hughes, Clinton Morrison, Dougie Freedman and Jon Macken - wilted, Thompson now faces an almighty selection headache ahead of Saturday's home clash with Peterborough Utd.

A happy man

With regulars Austin McCann, David Pipe, Matt Somner, Andy Parkinson and Jason Lee all left in Nottingham and Kevin Pilkington, Junior Mendes and Dan Gleeson named on the substitutes bench, it gives Thompson new-found options ahead of Saturday's derby.

"The competition is strong now and there's a few knocking on the door for a first team place," the Notts manager told the club's official website.

"The team spirit and togetherness showed. The lads wanted to do well and worked very, very hard.

"We must now turn our attentions to Saturday's massive game with Peterborough."

19-year-old midfielder Dan Martin - who had started just one match this season - was outstanding against the Championship high-fliers and capped his best display in a Notts shirt by netting an 85th minute winner.

Tcham N'Toya, Jake Sheridan, Liam Needham and Lawrie Dudfield - who netted his first goal for the club - also provided strong contributions in an outstanding team performance that had Thompson purring with delight.