Notts County marched back to the top of Sky Bet League Two as Jorge Grant notched a double in a routine 3-0 win over 10-man Newport.

Grant opened the scoring in the 36th minute when he calmly slotted into the corner from inside the penalty box after being played in by Jon Stead.

That came just three minutes after Dan Butler had seen red for appearing to catch Matt Tootle with a flailing arm and Newport's hopes were effectively killed off early in the second half when Shola Ameobi produced a powerful finish to make it 2-0.

Before the visitors even had a chance to regain their senses, they fell further behind as Grant grabbed his second - nodding over the line after his original header was kept out by Joe Day.

Further chances came and went for Kevin Nolan's side, with Shaun Brisley being denied by a fine stop while Stead also went close.

And Grant almost completed the hat-trick his impressive performance deserved but his 20-yard free-kick cannoned off the crossbar.