BRIAN Clough and Peter Taylor are fondly remembered as the footballing duo who took Nottingham Forest to unprecedented success in 1970s and 1980s.

Now a new charity run has been set up in their memories to raise money for a fund set up by Nottingham's hospitals to pay for research into the disease that killed Peter Taylor at the age of just 62.

He died on October 4, 1990, of pulmonary fibrosis – an incurable disease which scars the lungs and causes chronic breathlessness.

The 10km run will take place at Donington Park on Sunday, March 10, and it is hoped it will become a regular fixture in the East Midland's fundraising calendar.

The run – called the Clough Taylor People's Run – is the brainchild of Jim Cowan, 50, the man who organised the first ever Race for Life which attracted 750 runners in Battersea Park, London, in 1994.

Mr Cowan, 50, said: "I had the idea for this run four years ago. We want to raise money for good causes and celebrate the lives of two great men.

"Originally we had intended to have a course which started at the City Ground and finished at Derby's Pride Park, but the Highways Agency wouldn't let us close the road.

"When Donington Park heard about this they offered us the venue – and here we are."

Mr Cowan said the race is aiming to attract around 5,000 people, who can either walk, run or jog the course.

Funds will be split among four different charities: The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign; Cerebral Palsy Sport; Hope Against Cancer; and Nottingham Hospitals Charity's Pulmonary Fibrosis Research Fund.

Peter Taylor's daughter, Wendy Dickinson, selected the Pulmonary Fibrosis Research Fund as a chosen charity for the event.

She said: "My dad was diagnosed with Pulmonary Fibrosis when he was just 59 and still in the prime of his life.

"Three years later he was dead. This truly horrible disease robbed him of the ability to do the things he loved – walking, playing with his grandchildren, gardening – just the normal, everyday things that we all should be able to enjoy.

"He took part in early research into the disease and the team at Nottingham have made some amazing steps forward in understanding the disease but, although drugs are now being developed, there is still no effective treatment and certainly no cure. There is still a long way to go."

For more information or to take part in the Clough Taylor People's Run in aid of Nottingham Hospitals Charity, visit www.nottinghamhospitalscharity.org.uk, call the charity office on 0115 962 7905, or email charity@nuh.nhs.uk

FOR Dexter Blackstock, it is all about the personal touch.

The striker admits he could have earned more money, had he waited until the summer and moved elsewhere on a free transfer.

But, instead, during a chat over dinner, he was persuaded to commit the best days of his career to Nottingham Forest.

While the financial details were ironed out later on, it was a conversation with owner Fawaz Al Hasawi that convinced Blackstock to commit the next four-and-a-half years to the Reds.

"It was not quite settled over dinner, but we did have discussions there," said Blackstock. "And it was important to talk face-to-face.

"It is about how the club is going to progress. It would not make sense to me to sign a long-term deal with a club, if their ambitions do not match up with mine.

"It was important that they match my ambition and, equally, that I match their ambition.

"There would have been options in the summer, there would have been interest from other clubs.

"You know how football works these days, out of contract players can generate a lot of interest.

"Everyone in life wants something for nothing, if they can get it.

"I could have waited, I could have looked to see if I could get more money.

"But, for me it was about stability – and I also believe in the Nottingham Forest project that was sold to me.

"The owners are here for the long term and I am backing the whole project they described to me.

"They offered me a long term deal to be part of it and I thought to myself 'why not?'."

Part of the owners' long term vision, very clearly, is to tie down key players to long contracts.

Chris Cohen was the first to commit, early in the campaign, he was followed by Blackstock and now Radi Majewski.

"It was not what I had asked for, it was something the club proposed," said Blackstock.

"I gave it some thought, because it is the main part of my career.

"I did weigh up whether to wait until the summer and see what my options were.

"But I thought it felt right to sign and move forward.

"It is great to sign a long term deal, I would not say it was sorted early – normally when players go into the last year of their contract it gets sorted in the summer.

"But Forest have adopted a different policy over the years and have often left it until the end of the contract before negotiating a new one.

"But it was a good time for both parties to come together and reach an agreement.

"I am only 26, so it is not as if I am 30 and it is taking me towards the end of my career.

"I am at a good age and I am happy at the club, so it made sense.

"I will be here for the main years of my career. So it was a massive decision to commit.

"But I firmly believe that, during that period of time, Forest will be a Premier League club."

Now Blackstock's own future is decided, the player hopes to see Forest ensure that this season can end on a positive note – starting at Birmingham today.

"It has been a weird season, in terms of consistency," said Blackstock. "We are sitting not far off the play-offs, but we have not had consistency all season. We can be brilliant one day and the opposite the next.

"In this league, it is so difficult to perform at the same level week in, week out.

"You are dealing with different teams, different styles, different atmospheres and different challenges every week. But, at the end of the season, the team who copes with that best; who finds that consistency will be at the top of the table.

"There is no secret to that. We can definitely still find that, but we have to start soon.

"We are going into February and it has to happen now, because the games are running out. We have to go now, it has to happen now."

But, if it does not happen for Blackstock and Forest this season, at least the striker should be around for another four attempts at winning promotion.

A MUM who survived a rare form of breast cancer is backing a new campaign to speed up the search for a cure.

Rowina Dewan, of Ruddington, was diagnosed with "triple negative" breast cancer on her 35th birthday.

She said: "All sorts of things go through your head. They told me it was aggressive, they told me I'd need an operation.

"It was certainly the worst birthday present you could imagine."

Triple negative breast cancer is when doctors find a tumour which lacks the three main receptors normally found in breast cancers – oestrogen, progesterone and the human epidermal growth factor (HER2).

Most breast cancers are successfully treated with therapy which specifically targets these three elements.

Triple negative sufferers are given general chemotherapy.

Around 15 out of every 100 breast cancers are triple negative. Rowina, who has a 12-year-old son called Ryan Savage, was diagnosed in May last year and has since had a tumour removed and reconstructive surgery.

Cancer Research UK is supporting a clinical trial for women with triple negative breast cancer that has spread or has come back after treatment.

The trial is finding out whether a drug called carboplatin can slow the growth of triple negative cancer better than current treatments.

Consultant business manager Rowina, 35, did not have the drug but wants people to donate money so further research can be done. She said: "I want to do everything I can to urge people to fight back against this devastating disease. After three cycles of chemotherapy, I'm now cancer free and want to help other women in similar situations."

Every hour, around three people in the East Midlands are diagnosed with cancer. And with the number of sufferers set to rise steeply by 2030, Cancer Research UK has launched a new advertising campaign, which aims to raise money to accelerate its research, with TV, radio and print ads, and billboards, with the slogan: "One day we will beat cancer. Help us make it sooner."

Paul Wadsworth, Cancer Research UK East Midlands spokesman, said: "Our campaign aims to show that research is cancer's enemy. The more research we can do, the sooner we can beat the disease."

For more details, visit www.cruk.org.

THEFT from people in the city centre has risen by 50 per cent as thieves target expensive smartphones to sell abroad.

In 2012 there were 1,307 incidents – and 1,097 of these involved stealing a mobile phone.

The Post understands that some of these thefts were committed by gangs coming into the city specifically to steal phones.

Chief Inspector Shaun Ostle, from Nottinghamshire Police's city division, said: "Mobile phones are an easily accessible, high-value item, which many people take for granted.

"They get left on tables, hang out of people's pockets or are left on view in open handbags, and we are seeing an increasing trend of people from different areas coming into Nottingham specifically to steal mobile phones.

"This is a national and international problem. The phones are often sold abroad."

Georgina Pearce, 19, of Lenton, had her iPhone 4S stolen last month.

She said: "It was a really horrible experience.

"I'm definitely not surprised that it's increased so much."

Operation Accelerate has been launched by Notts Police to tackle the problem.

Plainclothes officers will patrol crime hotspots and offer crime prevention advice.

ALEX McLeish's future as Nottingham Forest manager still hangs in the balance.

The Scot took training as normal yesterday, before holding lengthy talks with the club's owners, as he demanded answers over a frustrating deadline day that was capped off by the collapse of George Boyd's transfer to the City Ground.

McLeish spent close to two hours in talks with chairman Fawaz Al Hasawi and the duo did discuss a plan for the future, including potential transfer targets.

But while rumours that he had already resigned over the issue – which saw the Forest hierarchy pull the plug on the move after the player allegedly failed an eye test on Thursday – were unfounded, it is understood that McLeish remains uncertain about his future.

McLeish will put himself in the firing line when he takes charge of Forest when they take on his former club Birmingham at St Andrew's today. But it could yet still prove to be his final game in charge, if the events of the last few days do prove to be a turning point.

As well as the dramatic collapse of the move to sign Boyd, Forest failed in their efforts to sign Wolves defender Stephen Ward and winger Chris Burke from Birmingham City, with bids for both players rejected.

And, as a result, McLeish's hopes of three new signings on Thursday were dashed as Forest failed to make a single further addition.

The club have added Gonzalo Jara and Elliott Ward on loan until the end of the season and Darius Henderson on a short-term deal, to take the number of new additions this season to 18. But McLeish had hoped for longer-term signings.

The manager publicly played down rumours of a row with the club's hierarchy last week. But there have been disagreements over the club's transfer policy.

And the Al Hasawi family, who issued a statement through chairman Fawaz Al Hasawi last night, could yet find themselves looking to appoint the club's FOURTH manager since they took over in July, following the immediate dismissal of Steve Cotterill and the Boxing Day sacking of Sean O'Driscoll.

Forest legend Garry Birtles says he would not have blamed McLeish had he chosen to walk away from the club already and he warns that, if McLeish is to have a future at the City Ground, he must be allowed to manage the club on his terms.

"Alex is an experienced manager, he has worked under Alex Ferguson, one of the best," said Birtles. "If you want him to manage the club, let him do it how he feels best."

JOSS Labadie made his first league start in just over four months for Notts County at Hartlepool United today.

He replaced captain Neal Bishop, who is suspended, in the Magpies' midfield at Victoria Park.

Gary Liddle was also made captain against his old club in Bishop's absence.

Liddle was named in defence, with Dean Leacock and Alan Sheehan, in front of goalkeeper Fabian Spiess, while Labadie joined Andre Boucaud, Jeff Hughes, Jamal Campbell-Ryce and Alan Judge in midfield.

Francois Zoko and Yoann Arquin started in attack.

NOTTS: Spiess, Liddle, Leacock, Sheehan, Boucaud, Labadie, Hughes, Campbell-Ryce, Judge, Zoko, Arquin. Subs: Pilkington, Kelly, Smith, Bencherif, Mahon, Showunmi, Nangle.

NOTTS County made a nightmare start at Hartlepool United in League One today – and trailed 1-0 at half-time.

The Magpies conceded after just five minutes at Victoria Park as Pools striker James Poole fired past Fabian Spiess from close range.

Notts leading-scorer Yoann Arquin went closest to equalising in the closing minutes of the first half, having a header cleared off the goal-line.

Joss Labadie made his first league start in just over four months in the north east, replacing suspended captain Neal Bishop in the Magpies' midfield.

Gary Liddle was also made skipper against his old club in Bishop's absence.

Liddle was named in defence, with Dean Leacock and Alan Sheehan, in front of Spiess, while Labadie joined Andre Boucaud, Jeff Hughes, Jamal Campbell-Ryce and Alan Judge in midfield.

Francois Zoko and Arquin started in attack.

Notts conceded after just five minutes.

They were undone from a quick counter-attack from their own corner too, as Jonathan Franks was sent racing away down the right and crossed into the penalty for Poole, who volleyed the ball past Spiess from close range.

The Magpies tried to hit back quickly and Campbell-Ryce swung a dangerous cross into the box from the right on nine minutes, but it was too high for Judge at the far post.

Labadie then dragged a low shot wide of the right-hand post of Pools goalkeeper Scott Flinders from 25 yards on 13 minutes and Sheehan curled a free-kick into the box on 17 minutes, but Flinders claimed the ball under pressure.

Hartlepool threatened to double their lead soon after as Charlie Wyke seized onto a cross into the Magpies' box and it took a last-ditch block by Liddle to deflect his shot wide of Spiess' left-hand post.

Poole then drove a low shot wide from 20 yards on 23 minutes and Franks blazed over the bar three minutes later from long range, before Judge miscued an effort well wide on 30 minutes.

Poole had another chance on 32 minutes, after a one-two with Wyke on the edge of the Notts penalty area, but lifted a shot high and wide.

The Magpies finally put Hartlepool under pressure in the closing minutes of the first half – and created three good chances.

Campbell-Ryce fired in a shot from inside the box that defender Peter Hartley blocked and Arquin then met the subsequent corner with a header that Neil Austin hacked away on the goal-line and then Zoko forced Flinders into a save with a header from close range.

MANSFIELD Town eased to a third successive victory as they thumped Dartford 5-0 at the One Call Stadium this afternoon.

The two-week enforced break from action did not hinder the Stags, as they moved up the Blue Square Bet Premier table to just three points off the play-offs with games in hand.

Adam Murray put  Mansfield ahead after just five minutes with a superb 25-yard low strike but the visitors pressurised the hosts for much of the first half.

After the break it was a different story, as Anthony Howell finished well on 54 minutes to double the advantage before Colin Daniel's stunning delivery from the left was headed home by Luke Jones on 66 minutes to make it 3-0.

Matt Green added another 11 minutes from time, finishing well after Louis Briscoe's defence-splitting pass had put the striker through on goal.

It got even better five minutes from time as Lee Stevenson won and then converted a penalty, firing into the top corner.

NOTTINGHAM Forest's failure to land Chris Burke in the transfer window returned to haunt them in the most painful fashion, as the winger scored twice to secure a 2-1 win for the home side.

Alex McLeish's first return to St Andrews might have ended with a more positive result, if not for a string of saves made by England keeper Jack Butland.

But it proved to be Burke's contribution that was equally decisive, as the winger – the subject of a failed £500k bid from Forest on deadline day – netted either side of half time to condemn Forest to defeat.

Billy Sharp netted a penalty in injury time for the Reds, but it was not enough to help them avoid defeat.

It will have been a particularly bitter pill to swallow for McLeish, who saw Forest fail to land any of the three major targets they had craved, with a bid for Stephen Ward, the Wolves defender, also rejected and a move for George Boyd collapsing over a failed eye examination.

Manager McLeish made four changes to the team that had been humbled 3-0 at home by Watford last weekend.

Dan Harding slotted in at left back, with Greg Halford moving into the centre of defence in place of Elliott Ward, who dropped to the bench. In midfield, Guy Moussi added a little physical strength, in place of Simon Gillett and Andy Reid was brought in to replace Simon Cox.

And, finally, Darius Henderson was given his first start for Forest, coming in to the side in place of Dexter Blackstock, alongside Billy Sharp.

Khalid Al Rashidi, the Kuwaiti international keeper who arrived last week, was included on the bench.

It was Birmingham stopper Jack Butland who had to make the first meaningful save of the game, in the third minute, following a neat bit of Forest play.

Henderson headed the ball down to the on-rushing Cohen, he slotted it in to the feet of Sharp and the striker laid a one-two back into Cohen's stride, with the midfielder flashing a right-footed shot across the face of goal and forcing Butland to plunge low to his right to save.

Burke, one of Forest's targets in the January window, was included in the starting line-up for the home side and ran at Harding early on, but was fended off strongly by the Reds' left back.

Marlon King, the former Forest striker, won a corner when his turn and shot was deflected off Danny Collins, who was marking him tightly. While Burke caused danger when he did beat Harding at the second attempt, with Collins forced to make an important clearance after the winger had flashed a cross into the centre.

It was the hold-up play of Henderson that was to carve out another chance for Forest however, as he fed Sharp in space on the right. The striker then showed quick feet to engineer a shooting chance, which he lifted a few feet over the bar.

Darlow produced an outstanding save to push a Davies header around the foot of the post.

And, following a sloppy pass from Moussi in midfield, King found himself clean through on goal – forcing Darlow to made another brilliant save with his outstretched boot with a low shot – and the keeper will not have minded being robbed of the credit when referee Deadman awarded a goal kick.

When Sharp turned brilliantly on the edge of the box, it looked as though the striker had been fouled by Davies. But play was allowed to continue and Paul Robinson did brilliantly to clear when Sharp fired a cross-shot towards the far post, where Cohen was poised to pounce.

Another good move from Forest culminated in Henderson feeding Reid in space down the left, from where the winger delivered a lovely cross into the centre. Sharp connected sweetly with a glancing header – but not sweetly enough as his effort fizzed inches the wrong side of the post.

Butland had to demonstrate his England credentials – and his reactions – as Halford attacked a Reid kick powerfully at the far post, with the keeper stretching out a hand to swat the ball away.

But, in first half injury time, it was to be Burke who proved his worth, as he put the home side ahead with a spectacular goal. The winger cut in from the right side before letting fly from 22-yards with his left foot with a dipping shot that bounced into the back of the net off the underside of the bar.

Halford had an early chance to pull Forest level after the break, but he failed to hit the target with a free header, to his obvious frustration.

But King  could also have extended Birmingham's advantage after finding half a yard of space to sprint into the box and fire an angled shot a few feet wide of the far post.

A clever ball, across goal, from Sharp saw Henderson pounce with a header from six yards, but Butland was equal to it.

Birmingham had brought on Nathan Redmond eight minutes into the second half and Forest made a change of their own shortly after, with Radi Majewski replacing Moussi.

Morgaro Gomis was the first player to be booked, for a foul on Lansbury, with the Birmingham man sliding in late to leave the midfielder in a heap. The Birmingham player seemed to come off worse, however, as he had to be substituted within three minutes, with an injury.

Sharp did well when collecting the ball with his back to goal, but a deflection took the pace off his shot after he had turned smartly and left Butland with an easy save.

Reid then delivered a fizzing cross that flew right across the face of goal, with Henderson just a yard short of connecting at the far post.

But it was Birmingham who carved out a clear opening, as a slip from Collins allowed Wes Thomas to sprint through on goal, only for him to lift his shot high and wide of the target with only Darlow to beat.

Butland made a world class save to thwart Forest, after Majewski and Harding had combined to give Cohen the chance to shot, with the keeper getting across brilliantly to push the shot away.

Birmingham broke quickly from the resulting corner, with Thomas again angling into the Forest box, but again firing off target when he might have done better.

He was quickly replaced by Birmingham, who brought on Nikola Zigic, while Forest also pepped up their attack with Simon Cox coming on for Henderson.

With ten minutes left, Birmingham took a firm hold of the game as Burke struck for a second time. It was substitute winger Nathan Redmond who made the goal, as he beat Jara down the left, before slotting the ball toward the far post where Burke was arriving to provide a simple, forceful finish, in the form of a low shot that gave Darlow no chance.

Sharp had the goal in his sights with five minutes to go, following a neat build-up from the visitors – but Butland denied him again, with a smart, sliding save.

Sharp did have the ball in the net in the 93rd minute, as he netted from the spot after being fouled by Davies. But Birmingham held on for victory.

Birmingham: Butland, Caldwell, Davies, Burke, King, Gomis (Reilly 64), Elliott, Thomas (Zigic 72), Caddis, Hall (Redmond 53), Robinson. Subs: Doyle, Mullins, Lovenkrands, Hancox.

Forest: Darlow, Jara, Collins, Halford, Harding, Cohen (Blackstock 83), Moussi (Majewski 56), Lansbury, Reid, Henderson (Cox 71), Sharp. Subs: Al Rashidi, Gillett, McGugan, Ward.

Attendance: 17,738 (1,963 away)

Referee: Darren Deadman

NOTTS County suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to rock bottom Hartlepool United in League One today.

The Magpies made a nightmare start at Victoria Park, conceding after just five minutes as Pools striker James Poole fired past young goalkeeper Fabian Spiess from close range.

Leading-scorer Yoann Arquin went closest to dragging Notts level before half-time with a header that was cleared off the goal-line.

Jamal Campbell-Ryce made it 1-1 with a super goal early in the second half, but Hartlepool captain Peter Hartley inflicted defeat on the Magpies with a goal on 69 minutes.

Joss Labadie made his first league start in just over four months in the north east, replacing suspended captain Neal Bishop in the Notts midfield.

Gary Liddle was also made skipper against his old club in Bishop's absence.

Liddle was named in defence, with Dean Leacock and Alan Sheehan, in front of Spiess, while Labadie joined Andre Boucaud, Jeff Hughes, Campbell-Ryce and Alan Judge in midfield.

Francois Zoko and Arquin started in attack.

Notts were undone from a quick counter-attack on five minutes – from their own corner too, as Jonathan Franks was sent racing away down the right wing and crossed into the penalty for Poole, who flicked the ball over Campbell-Ryce and volleyed it past Spiess.

The Magpies tried to hit back quickly and Campbell-Ryce swung a dangerous cross into the box from the right wing on nine minutes, but it was too high for Judge at the far post.

Labadie then dragged a low shot wide of the right-hand post of Pools goalkeeper Scott Flinders from 25 yards on 13 minutes and Sheehan curled a free-kick into the box on 17 minutes, but Flinders claimed the ball under pressure.

Hartlepool threatened to double their lead soon after as Charlie Wyke seized onto a cross into the Magpies' box and it took a last-ditch block by Liddle to deflect his shot wide of Spiess' left-hand post.

Poole then drove a low shot wide from 20 yards on 23 minutes and Franks blazed over the bar three minutes later from long range, before Judge miscued an effort well wide on 30 minutes.

Poole had another chance on 32 minutes, after a one-two with Wyke on the edge of the Notts penalty area, but lifted a shot high and wide.

The Magpies finally put Hartlepool under pressure in the closing minutes of the first half – and created three good chances.

Campbell-Ryce fired in a shot from inside the box that Hartley blocked, Arquin then met the subsequent corner with a header that Neil Austin hacked away on the goal-line and Zoko forced Flinders into a save with a header from close range.

Trailing 1-0, Notts made a change at the start of the second half, bringing on Julian Kelly in defence, switching Liddle into midfield and subbing Labadie.

It sparked them into life and they made it 1-1 just seven minutes after the restart.

It was a great goal too, as Campbell-Ryce seized onto a long diagonal pass by Sheehan, cut inside, swept past two players and drove a low shot past Flinders and into the bottom-left corner of the net.

Spiess then denied Poole and Wyke shot wide for the home side on 58 minutes, but Notts were quickly back on the attack and Judge had a shot blocked, Jeff Hughes saw a close-range header deflected wide and Sheehan forced Flinders into a save with a stinging long-range strike.

They conceded a second goal on 69 minutes, however, to fall 2-1 behind, as Evan Horwood curled a free-kick into the box and Hartley met it with a header that just crossed the line before Zoko could stop it.

The Magpies were stunned – but they soon stirred and Arquin fired just over the bar on 72 minutes and Judge then had a close-range header blocked by Sam Collins two yards out.

Notts then threw on Romello Nangle for Zoko, but it was asking a lot of the young striker to save the day.

The Magpies piled the pressure on the home side in the dying stages and Hughes was barged over inside the box by Collins in injury time, but ref Steve Rushton did not give a penalty and it was all over.

HARTLEPOOL: Flinders, Austin, Collins, Hartley, Horwood, Walton, Baldwin, Humphreys, Franks (Holden, 72), Wyke (Monkhouse, 83), Poole (James, 80). Subs: McHugh, Luscombe, Rowbotham, Rutherford.

NOTTS: Spiess, Liddle, Leacock, Sheehan, Boucaud, Labadie (Kelly, 46), Hughes, Campbell-Ryce, Judge, Zoko (Nangle, 82), Arquin (Bencherif, 77). Subs: Pilkington, Smith, Mahon, Showunmi.

ATTENDANCE: 3,662 (271 away).

A COW has been rescued after it collapsed into a brook in Alfreton.

Firefighters and a specialist animal rescue team were called out after reports of a collapsed cow in Chesterfield Road at around 3.35pm yesterday.

An RSPCA officer and the farmer who owns the cow were also in at the scene. Police were called to manage traffic.

By around 4.50pm crews had managed to get the cow out of the brook and onto dry land.

No one was available to comment on the current state of the cow.

ALEX McLeish refused to hide from Birmingham City fans, but he did duck questions about his future at Nottingham Forest.

The Scotsman rejected the chance to walk down a tunnel in favour of striding down the side of the pitch at St Andrews, as he made his first return since leaving the Blues and subsequently joining fierce rivals Aston Villa.

McLeish greeted the resulting abuse and jeers with a friendly wave. But, after the game, he did sidestep questions about his future.

"I was not going to walk down the tunnel. There was no chance of that happening. I was not going to sneak out next to the dug outs," said McLeish.

"If I did that, I would have to do it every game. I wanted to face the Birmingham fans and let them let off their steam, or whatever.

"Some had a go at the ginger hair. But we gingers will rule the world some day."

McLeish did offer a 'no comment' to every question about his future, with the manager still understood to be considering his position following a disappointing January transfer window that saw the club fail to make the three additions he had hoped for on deadline day.

Salt was rubbed into the wound when one of those targets, Birmingham winger Chris Burke, netted twice to help Birmingham to a 2-1 win.

"It was very unprofessional for us to surrender possession as cheaply as we did. That has to be down to slackness and carelessness," said McLeish.

"That was a blow, coming in at half time behind when we had not looked to be in any danger.

"Burky came back to haunt me. But we know he is a good player and capable of doing that."

NOTTS County have axed Keith Curle, after they lost 2-1 to League One bottom side Hartlepool United yesterday.

The Magpies are in tenth place in League One, but Curle has still been relieved of his duties with immediate effect.

He was told by chairman Ray Trew, who was at the game at Victoria Park, this morning.

"This obviously is not a decision that we have taken lightly and certainly not one that I have taken any pleasure in reaching, I have a tremendous amount of respect for Keith Curle both as a man and a manager," said Trew.

"Since Keith first came in, just under a year ago, we, as a Board, have backed him to bring in the players that he believed could move Notts County on to the next level and felt that he assembled a squad capable of challenging for promotion this season."

"However, recent displays have unfortunately not lived up to expectations and our poor disciplinary record this season has only further hampered our progress," he added.

 "Attendances at Meadow Lane have dropped in recent weeks and this has made this a business decision as much as a footballing one, because fans are obviously key to the club and their support is essential.

 "I would like to thank Keith, as well as Colin Lee and Colin West for all of their hard work and effort over the past year, there have been plenty of highs to enjoy in that period but there comes a time when we, as a Board, have to consider what we feel is best for the future of the club."

WITH leaders Kashmir not in action, Kimberley MW 'A' and Bilborough United both won to close the gap at the top of the Premier Division to six points.

Reiss Hussain bagged a brace to help Kimberley MW 'A' narrowly defeat Bottom side Durham Ox 5-4.

But Bilborough United had an easily day as they thrashed Netherfield Town 8-0. Duane Haywood and John Greaves both bagged doubles. Kareem White and Calix Barrett found the net as Nottm Sikh Lions pipped Santos 2-1.

Gedling Southbank 'A' pipped rivals Nuthal away, thanks to strikes from Reiss Coy, Chris Baker-Beall and Josh Jackson. FC Samba also won 3-2 when they entertained Beeston Rovers.

Division One leader's Basford United Reserves notched another win, this time at the expense of Nottingham United 'A'. Kyle Keetley scored twice for Basford, who are unbeaten in the league this season.

Crusader climbed to second place after a 3-2 home victory over Netherfield Albion Reserves.

Kimberley MW 'B' recorded a fine 3-2 win over Aspley, who were in second place at the start of the day.

Birchover Park and Bold Forester shared a 2-2 draw.

FC Geordie moved back to the top of the Division Two table, when a single strike from Leigh Nightingale was enough to see off Forest Green.

Rushcliffe Dynamo were held to a 3-3 drew by West 8. Sam Huckerby and Sam Begley both scored twice.

Adrian Benjamin hit a hat-trick to help Premium to a shock 4-3 win over title challengers Trent Bridge.

Highbury defeated Division Three leaders Netherfield Town Pumas 4-3. In-form frontman Simon Betts bagged a hat-trick.

Rivals Crusader Reserves went down 6-3 at home against Bingham Town Reserves.

Steven Green, Gavin Hutchinson and Aaron Beckford all scored as Red Lion United edged Mapperley 3-2.

THE leading pair in the Northern division both progressed safely to the quarter-finals of the cup.

South Normanton were edged out 2-1 by Dronfield Town, all the goals coming in the second half. Carey Knight scored for the Shiners.

The place for goals was Clay Cross Town where a crowd of 125 saw Pinxton run out 7-4 winners. There was a hat-trick for Kieran Debrouwer, while Jay Brewer grabbed two. Ryan Booker and Wayne Cooke were also on target for Pinxton.

Clifton All Whites scored twice in the second half on their way to a 2-1 win over Ollerton Town, Will Heath and former Forest youngster Rob Gill putting them through. Kyle Clarkeson scored for Ollerton.

No surprise at Watnall Road as goals from Chris Hewitt, Craig Mitchell and Pete Stubley gave Sutton Town a 3-1 win over Hucknall Town AFC. Craig Cox netted the consolation goal.

A last-minute goal from Martin Wilson means that Newark Town and Westella Hanson will have to meet again.

The East Yorkshire side led with two first half goals inside a minute, but Sam Bagworth pulled one back, before Wilson's late leveller.

In the Black Dragon Badges Northern Division, a Shane Carver hat-trick inspired Brodsworth Welfare to victory by the odd goal in seven against visitors Sherwood Colliery. Eden Homer, Jack Wood and Rob Whitman were the Sherwood marksmen.

Real United's winning run in the Black Dragon Badges South Division was brought to an abrupt halt by Bilborough Pelican, who won 6-0 at the Inspire Stadium. Jordan Prance (2), Danny Blanchard, Danny Prance, Alex Doyle and Joe Ashurst shared the goals.

There was a hat-trick for Linby Colliery's Matt Murphy as they saw off Nottingham United 4-1. Simon Marlow was the other scorer, while Chris Tivey got the United goal.

Struggling Blackwell MW ran Mickleover Royals close at the Raygar Stadium, Niall Mather's second-half effort proving to be the difference between the sides.

Southwell City added to Blidworth Welfare's woes, returning home with a 5-0 win with goals for Marlon Waites (2), Anthony Brown, Craig Bolton and Jonny Upton.

Results in the Reserve Supreme division went to form with the top three winning.

Leaders Dunkirk had to rely on a goal from Alex Meehan to get the better of Teversal, while Belper Town were convincing 5-2 winners at bottom team South Normanton.

Dronfield Town remain third after their 3-1 win over Radford. Craig Barrett pulled one back for the visitors.

Eastwood Town beat Long Eaton United 4-1 thanks to Sam Hutsby, Mack Smith, Preston Robinson and Jayden Newbury.

Bilborough Pelican hit top spot in the Reserve Premier Division following their 2-1 win against Southwell City.

Belper United are second after a three-goal win at Sherwood Colliery.

Former leaders Newark Town went down to three second half goals at home to Clipstone Welfare.

Nottingham United remain rooted to the foot of the table after conceding four goals at home to Blidworth Welfare.

THE only all-Premier Division Senior Cup round one tie saw a clash between current leaders Old Elizabethans and second-placed Rainworth Rangers.

O.E's grabbed the lead through Callum Wilkinson in the first half. However goals from Andy Boulton and Marc Jewsbury sealed the tie.

Beeston OBA were eased out of the cup by Division One outfit New Houghton Villa who, having failed to respond to goals from Henry Nash and Chris Booth, equalised during the last five minutes of normal time.

They then went on to claim the tie at the end of extra-time with George Simpson, Josh Copestake and Josh Parfitt their marksmen.

Another Premier Division team's hopes were dashed when Bassingfield went down 3-1 to BAFC Vine from Division One.

Woodborough United overcame Mansfield Hosiery Mills 5-3 while Bulwell Town trounced NRU FC 8-2.

The only all-Division One clash followed league form with leaders FC Sutton Forester beating Eaton Hall College 6-1.

Radcliffe Olympic were reduced to ten men in their Intermediate Cup tie with Division Two outfit Woodbeck Diagonals. But they managed to lead 4-1 at the break thanks to goals from Daniel Ford (2), Sam Adams and Mike Gartlan. Olympic were left hanging on at the end as Diagonals struck back with two unanswered goals.

Another Premier Division side who just edged out lower division opposition were Wollaton III who were down 2-1 at half time to Division One Ravenshead, whose marksmen were Adam Martin and Callum Marks. However status told in the end, with Wollaton netting two unanswered second-half goals.

A shock looked to be on the cards when Premier Division Beeston AFC II were a goal down at half time to Ashfield FC, who prop up Division One. But a hat-trick from substitute Tony Meads helped seal a 9-2 win for Beeston.

Division One side Bilborough Town Academy went through 4-2 at the expense of Ilkeston Rutland II from Division Two. A hat-trick from Tom Patterson gave Old Elizabethans a 6-1 win over Magdala Amateurs A.

FC Trinity beat fellow Division Two outfit Rainworth Rangers II 2-0. With their own ground declared unfit, Town Mill transferred their Division Two match to Alveston United's ground and won 3-2. Nottinghamshire III went down 5-1 to Old Bemrosians.

Goals from Iain Roe, Martin Willoughby, Callum Stones and Andrew Marshall helped Sutton Travellers to a 4-2 victory over Southwell St Marys II.