A TROY DEENEY hat-trick was not enough for Forest Green as they lost a seven-goal thriller away at Notts County. 

Dan Crowley and Macaulay Langstaff had given the hosts a two-goal advantage at the break, but Deeney’s five-minute brace reduced the arrears.

John Bostock and David McGoldrick were on hand to rescue the hosts with two quickfire goals despite Deeney scoring from the penalty spot late on.

County’s early dominance prevailed as Crowley was able to glance Jodi Jones’ cross in off the post, before Langstaff rounded off a fine attacking move inside the area.

The visitors pulled a goal back as Deeney was able to turn and fire beyond Aidan Stone, doubling his tally with a right-footed effort inside the area.

But two goals in three minutes restored County’s two-goal advantage, with Bostock finishing from close range before McGoldrick rounded off a brilliant counter-attack.

Deeney did complete his hat-trick, smashing the ball down the middle from the spot, and almost added a fourth for an injury-time equaliser but his header hit the crossbar.

Stroud News and Journal: Striker Tony Deeney scored a hat-trick in Saturday's game vs Notts CountyForest Green manager David Horseman was delighted with Deeney after taking his tally for the season to four, insisting the veteran striker is desperate to succeed at The New Lawn.

He said: “What has been interesting as the weeks have gone in is that he has got stronger physically, a lot fitter, his pressing was good today and the quality in the box it goes with a Premier League player and the way he looks after the ball and flicks headers on.

“But he is so desperate to win and do well for the team – he’s a brilliant player for us but more importantly a brilliant person.

“I am delighted he has got his hat-trick and hopefully there will be a lot more to come from him.”

Having seen his side come from two goals down to draw level, Horseman believes that they must gain confidence from the performance to move up the table.

“I just think today could have gone one or two ways,” he added.

“We are only going to get stronger – we need to because the table does not lie, we have drawn one and won two out of nine games, it is nowhere near the level we should be at.”