91Èȱ¬

Ethan Ebanks-Landell's first Wolves goal earned victory at bottom-of-the-table Notts County and took Kenny Jackett's side top of League One.

The defender smashed home from close range as new Magpies boss Shaun Derry suffered a third straight defeat.

The hosts were the better side for most of a feisty first period in which Manny Smith wasted a great double chance.

But Wolves were on top in the second half and wasted several excellent openings before Ebanks-Landell struck.

The defeat was cruel on Notts, whose performance made light of the 26 points that separated the two teams before the match and was an ideal response to Derry's pre-match demands.

Marcus Haber, Callum McGregor and Jamal Campbell-Ryce posed problems for the visitors throughout - particularly before the break.

But their best chance was squandered by Smith, who wasted a free header from a free-kick and then should have scored with the close-range follow-up.

Wolves, backed by 2,730 noisy visiting supporters in Notts' biggest crowd of season of 7,520, had threatened through Bakary Sako and the excellent James Henry.

But they began to get on top after the interval.

Substitute Leigh Griffiths's low shot was well saved by Bart Bialkowski and the keeper was forced to make several decent stops.

And with the pressure mounting, Ebanks-Landell reacted quickly to fire in the winner following a free-kick.

Bjorn Sigurdarson almost added a second on the counter-attack, but his shot clipped the outside of the post.

Notts sub Yoann Arquin screwed an effort wide in the final 10 minutes but the visitors held on with relative ease to go top of the table thanks to Leyton Orient's home defeat against Preston.

Notts County manager Shaun Derry

"I sensed before the game that it would be a quality performance and I'm so proud of them.

"After Tuesday night [JPT loss to Oldham] there were question marks over them about character. Today they answered them.

"When I came in the door the best part of a week ago, I said we are going to win and lose games but when we lose we would do it in the right manner. That was exactly the right manner."

Wolves manager Kenny Jackett

"We had clearcut chances which could have put the game away, but didn't.

"We battled away against a very resilient, determined Notts County side that were playing their first home game under a new manager.

"Yes, it is great for our supporters and us to be top of the league, and that puts us there to be shot at now. We have to understand that everyone's motivation level will be very high against us.

"We have to just try and keep building on the good platform we have given ourselves now."