Notts County made it four wins from five at Meadow Lane with a 3-1 victory over promotion hopefuls Bradford City this afternoon.

A brace from Jonathan Forte and a close-range finish from Delroy Facey had Notts in dreamland and 3-0 up at the break - with County displaying finishing of the highest order.

Peter Thorne pulled a goal back late on for City but that wasn't going to spoil the Magpies' party.

Manager Ian McParland handed starts to Jamie Forrester, Adam Tann and Adam Nowland for the visit of the Bantams, replacing Richard Butcher, the ill Phil Picken and the injured Matt Hamshaw from the 2-0 reverse at Bury seven days ago.

It meant Forte was shifted out wide to replace Hamshaw, while Forrester slotted back in the side alongside Facey in attack after a short absence with a toe injury.

Picken phoned in early this morning with a sickness bug which meant a first start for Tann since recovering from a four-month lay-off with a knee injury.

Bradford, roared on by large travelling support of well of 1,000, got the game underway attacking towards the Kop.

Within a minute they had a decent chance to open the scoring from a set-play but Matt Clarke headed wide from five yards out.

The opening stages were frantic with both sides looking to attack from the off and on eleven minutes it was McParland's men who made the early breakthrough.

County caught Bradford on the counter attack with Forrester given acres of room down the left, and using his experience and vision he picked out the excellent run of Forte who kept his composure to slot the ball past Evans after running half the length of the pitch to get into the position to score.

Bradford had a chance to respond straight away but Pilkington saved Graeme Lee's header from a free-kick out wide on the right.

Goalmouth action was limited, but fans in the stadium were treated to a really entertaining game with both sides intent on attacking whenever possible.

Just after the half-hour Notts doubled their lead, with Forte again the goalscorer.

This time he collected a fine cross from Weston at the far post, cut inside onto his left foot twelve yards out and then drove a low effort beyond Evans.

It could have been 3-0 moments later when Weston's cross was sliced just over his own crossbar by Clarke and with Notts in complete control Nowland curled an effort wide from outside the box.

Bradford fans showed their frustration by booing their side after a lacklustre display.

Bullock had a shot deflected wide for the Bantams by Edwards, who threw his body in way to deny the midfielder a certain goal.

The afternoon went from bad to worse for the Bantams - and even better for County - when Delroy Facey fired home a third goal in first-half injury time.

Weston again did the damage down the left, whipped in a delightful low cross that the Bantams couldn't deal with and Facey forced the ball into the net from six yards out.

Notts left the field to standing ovation from their supporters as the half-time whistled sounded - rounding off a very successful 45 minutes with some very clinical finishing.

Weston and Forte's pace was killing the Bantams defence, with Weston having the beating of Rehman every time he took him on.

Bradford boss Stuart McCall made a single change at the break, which was in attack as Boulding was replaced by Colbeck.

Notts continued where they left off by pouring forwards and Forrester headed a Forte cross just wide.

At the other end Clapham cleared off the line from Steve Jones' low cross - but in reality Bradford rarely threatened and the game was well over.

Furman flashed an effort just wide from outside the box with twenty minutes to go with Pilkington still relatively untested.

Young Nat Wedderburn replaced the hardworking Nowland for the final fifteen minutes following his impressive comeback from a hamstring injury and Richard Butcher followed soon afterwards in place of Forrester.

Peter Thorne - who struck a brace against Notts on the opening day of the season - pulled a goal back for Bradford five minutes from time when he converted Jones' cross from a few yards out.

Tann was replaced by Gavin Strachan for the final few minutes and like Nowland the right-back made a successful comeback from a long injury lay-off with a fine display.

With today's impressive display behind them it's onwards and - quite literally - upwards for Notts with Darlington away on Tuesday.

Confidence will be high, so don't bet against another positive result from County.

Full Time: Notts County 3-1 Bradford City

Notts County: Pilkington, Tann (Strachan 88), Edwards (C), Johnson, Clapham, Forte, Nowland (Wedderburn 78), Thompson, Weston, Forrester (Butcher 84), Facey
Subs Not Used: Canham, Fairclough
Booked: Forte, Thompson
Sent Off: None
Goals: Forte (11, 31), Facey (45)

Bradford City: Evans, Lee (C), Bullock, Thorne, Clarke, Boulding (Colbeck 46), O'Brien, Furman, Law, Jones, Rehman
Subs Not Used: Arnison, Conlon, Nix, Convey
Booked None
Sent Off: None
Goals: Thorne (85)

Match Referee: Mr K G Evans

Attendance: 5,138 (1,231 Bradford City Fans)