Magpies sack McParland

The club have sacked manager Ian McParland. The Scot has been relieved of his duties four days before what would have been his second anniversary in charge of the League Two club.

His position has been in question since the high-profile takeover by Swiss-based Middle East consortium Munto Finance, who brought in former England manager Sven Goran Eriksson as director of football in the summer.

McParland lost just three of his side's 12 league matches this season and the Magpies are unbeaten at Meadow Lane. But the club's progression is not deemed quick enough by the new owners and Sunday's 2-2 home draw against struggling Torquay, when County led 2-0 at one stage, was the final straw.

McParland leaves the Magpies in fifth in the table and just four points behind leaders Bournemouth.