Stuart Maynard praised Notts County’s set-pieces as they scored twice from corners in a 3-0 League Two win over struggling Accrington.
The Magpies opened the scoring in the 16th minute with a training-ground routine. From a corner, Matt Palmer’s cross found the inrushing George Abbott, who volleyed the ball into the top corner.
Number two came after 27 minutes when Abbott’s ball to the far post found Alassana Jatta and his header was helped over the line by David McGoldrick from close range.
The Magpies completed the scoring after 63 minutes when, from a corner, Jatta headed against the crossbar and it fell for the stretching McGoldrick to force the ball over the line for his 12th of the season.
Maynard, who has been in the Magpies job a year, covering 50 games, said: “We have to give a lot of credit to set-piece coach Steve Collis, that’s what won us the game as much as we were really good.
“To score from two set-pieces. We worked on them both on the training ground and the work has paid off.
“The technique from George to place it into the top corner as someone is coming to press you is incredible and it was an unbelievable strike.
“Steve worked on this on Friday and the lads were moaning a bit as they said it went on a bit but it paid off.
“The tap-ins are the goals that are brilliant for Didzy (David McGoldrick). He is going to score worldies because of his ability but the all-round performance, collectively for the group including those who came on, was excellent.
“Also to come here and get a clean sheet is a huge credit to our lads. They put their bodies on the line and we wanted a clean sheet.
“The energy levels were incredible as well as the calmness on the ball. We controlled and dictated the tempo from minute one.”
Stanley struggled to create much and boss John Doolan said: “I am really disappointed. It was a disappointing first-half performance.
“We didn’t start the game, we couldn’t do the basics and we couldn’t pass the ball to each other.
“I expected the lads to keep the momentum we had. We took the pats on backs from the Liverpool game, but this was more important in terms of starting on the front foot, being aggressive and we didn’t do that.
“They scored an unbelievable goal for the first goal but we didn’t block the cross and then it’s disappointing.
“We know about David McGoldrick’s quality and we didn’t deal with the cross into the box which he taps in for the second goal.
“We conceded from two corners and our players need to win their individual battles.
“In the second half, we showed more quality but it was frustrating overall.”
