Ian McParland felt his Notts County side suffered defeat in the cruellest way possible in last night's Johnstone's Paint Trophy game at Scunthorpe United.

The Iron struck twice in injury time to secure an unlikely win after Richard Butcher's goal looked to be enough for the Magpies to put McParland's men into the Second Round.

Despite the late heartbreak, he is backing his side to bounce back after an impressive display at Glanford Park.

"The lads have to get over it, and they will," he said afterwards.

"It was a cruel way to lose the game, but we have to get on with it.

"We now have to get our heads right for Saturday, and try and win the game."

McParland felt losing defender Adam Tann, who had been outstanding all evening, with a few minutes to go after sustaining a bang to his head upset the rhythm of his side in the dying minutes.

Despite the defeat, he was keen to give credit to his side for giving the League One side a real game.

He said: "Losing Tanny upset our rhythm and they capitalised on that with a few set-plays.

"We took a bit of a battering early in the second half, and then we got at it and created some clear-cut chances.

"We stuck at it and got some chances against a good team who were in the Championship last season.

"We gave them a real game, and were four minutes away from a good win."

McParland also confirmed that Tann's injury was not as serious as first thought, despite leaving the field on a stretcher.

Tann travelled back with the rest of the squad on the Team Coach and will report in for training on Thursday.

McParland confirmed: "He is ok now. He got a bang near his eye on his cheekbone which was a bit nasty."

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