MAGPIES boss Ian McParland warned that, if Notts County continue to throw away leads, they will be scrapping at the wrong end of the table.

But McParland is confident it will change after another impressive display in which they were the better side in the 1-1 draw at Accrington Stanley.

Sean Canham's 90th minute goal looked to have handed the Magpies their first League Two win of the season.

But as against Shrewsbury and Scunthorpe in the cup, they conceded late and it cost them dear as they had to settle for a fifth consecutive league draw. McParland said: "If we defend the lead we will move right up the table. If we do not we will be scrapping again at the bottom half of the table.

"Football-wise we were superb, the supporters were fantastic and got right behind us, but I am sorry for them having to drive back having a win snatched from them again.

"I am sure they will see what is happening here and the way we are playing and we will be okay.

"The first half we did not play as well as we have been playing but we were still better than them.

"I said if we step it up in the second half we could go on and win the game.

"We stepped it up and got lots of balls into the box. Myles Weston has struck his shot magnificently, too well. It came off the inside of the post and we had other chances flying about.

"But they are always going to be dangerous hitting us on the break and from set-plays because they have big lads.

"When we go 1-0 up and the board goes up with three minutes, you are always going to be vulnerable. They still have time to score a goal and the ball should have been cleared.

"We got a bit of luck where their lad gave Sean the chance and he stuck it in like a seasoned professional.

"So 1–0 up deservedly but we give that goal away. Until we start holding the lead we will struggle.

"Again we passed it and got it wide and even in the first half we played a little bit of football, although a little edgy.

"I think it will even itself out over the season, because if you see their goal it has taken three deflections. It should have been cleared before that.

"The long throw into the box and big Houlty has come out to take it and he took the cross and punched and it was just sheer luck it dropped to their lad. It was a bit of bad luck."