Tom Iorpenda shines as Notts County ease to victory against Cheltenham

Tom Iorpenda’s brilliant individual goal helped to boost Notts County’s League Two promotion push as a 5-2 win ended Cheltenham’s eight-match unbeaten run.

The on-loan Huddersfield midfielder deceived two opponents and ran 20 yards to drive in a 66th-minute goal that put his side 3-2 up.

He then provided the pass six minutes later that sent Alassana Jatta clear for County’s fourth – which the striker tried to claim, though Cheltenham defender James Wilson appeared to knock the ball past his own goalkeeper.

The visitors finished with 10 men after right-back Sam Sherring was shown a straight red card in the 81st minute for scything down County substitute Keanan Bennetts, who then provided the cutback for Tyrese Hall to score a fifth goal in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

Cheltenham had opened the scoring in the 10th minute when Isaac Hutchinson swept in Josh Davison’s cutback.

The home side drew level six minutes later, with Matt Palmer’s goal-bound shot deflected in by Jodi Jones.

They went ahead in the 28th minute as captain Palmer took on Lewis Macari’s pass and hit a searing 25-yard shot into the far corner for his first goal in three years.

But Hutchinson was left unmarked eight yards out to control and finish Harry Ashfield’s right-wing cross for his 18th goal of the season in the 35th minute.

County tightened up defensively in the second half, without losing their attacking threat, as Iorpenda made the difference.