Alassana Jatta’s second-half brace fires Notts County to victory over Cambridge

Alassana Jatta’s superb second-half brace fired Notts County into the play-off positions as they recorded a crucial 2-0 victory over fellow promotion-hopefuls Cambridge at Meadow Lane.

The Gambian striker’s second-half efforts, which took his tally to four in as many games, lifted Martin Paterson’s side to fifth in the table as they also equalled their longest unbeaten run on home soil since returning to the English Football League.

Patience proved a virtue for County against opponents who were combative, organised and content to break on the counter-attack.

And so did the change of tempo the hosts injected into their work after the break, with Jatta opening the scoring in the 72nd minute before sealing all three points in the 90th.

Clear-cut openings proved in short supply until the County marksman flashed just wide from long distance soon after the interval.

But Jatta did find the back of the net with the hosts’ first shot on target of the contest.

Substitute Tom Iorpenda’s perfectly weighted slide rule pass released Jodi Jones down the flank and his cross was headed home by Jatta, who then bent a measured 25-yard finish past Jake Eastwood on the stroke of full-time.