Notts County boss Martin Paterson salutes ‘joker’ Matthew Dennis after winner

Head coach Martin Paterson revealed Matthew Dennis is Notts County’s training ground joker after the in-form striker sealed a 1-0 victory over League Two rivals Fleetwood.

Dennis struck his sixth goal in the last five games since a summer move from Carlisle to inspire County to a third consecutive league win.

The former Arsenal academy forward has already matched his six-goal tally in the league last season for the Cumbrians, whom the 23-year-old left in June after turning down a new contract offer.

Paterson said: “When Matthew comes in, he’s always messing around, he’s always smiling – in short, he’s hard work, but in a good way.

“You can’t change people – he’s a laugher, he’s a joker. I spend most of the training session telling him where to be and what to do and I think the penny’s dropped.

“It’s a simple message, work hard. I’m not interested in talking about targets for him or any other player this season, it’s just that he needs to work hard, do his job and let others talk about targets. My job is to coach each of these players to be the best they can and that’s hard.”

Dennis fired home from close range just 19 seconds into the second half to sink Fleetwood.

Paterson added: “We weren’t great, but we came out with a win and that’s the key if you want to be successful. It’s about daily habits and doing the right things.”

The Meadow Lane playing surface passed a Friday inspection after experts were called in to assess a rare fungal disease that left a 10-metre swathe of dead grass along the length of the main stand touchline.

Fleetwood dominated the opening half-hour but failed to take three presentable chances as they surrendered their unbeaten league away record to drop below County on goal difference in mid-table.

Head coach Pete Wild said: “We deserved a point at the very least and arguably all three. We turned them round time after time and I think our keeper has only had one save to make all game, so we’re disappointed to come away with nothing.

“County were there for the taking, but it was a day when everything conspired against us and I thought we might have had a penalty as well.

“The only thing that let us down was our quality in the final third because we contained Notts County well. Their goal gave them impetus they didn’t have beforehand, that was key.

“Even after that we got back on top and for the rest of the match it was one-way traffic. We were nice and aggressive in our defending and there are definitely lots of positives but a mistake for their goal has cost us in the end.”