Forest Green Rovers' unbeaten start away from home came to an end as Notts County ran out 4-3 winners at Meadow Lane.

A hat-trick from Troy Deeney during a second half fight-back wasn't enough as Rovers fell to a third straight defeat.

David Horseman made two changes to the side that were defeated by Doncaster last weekend, bringing Dom Bernard and Reece Welch in for the injured duo of Fankaty Dabo and Jordan Moore-Taylor.

The hosts created the first chance of the game when Macauly Langstaff was played through down the left channel, with Welch showing great awareness to block his shot.

Rovers responded well - and had a golden chance to equalise around 15 minutes in. Teddy Jenks stole the ball from Aden Baldwin and had all the time in the world to pick out a player in the box, but he couldn't find a Rovers man.

Just four minutes later, Luke Williams' side took the lead through Dan Crowley, as he glancing header kissed the post on its way in after meeting a Jodi Jones cross.

County doubled their lead when David McGoldrick's pinpoint cross from the left found Langstaff, who diverted the ball home.

Rovers got themselves back into the game 10 minutes into the second period. Troy Deeney received the ball with his back to goal, turned and arrowed a shot into the bottom corner.

Deeney then had a big penalty claim denied shortly after - but he picked himself up and brought Rovers level. Five minutes after scoring his first, the 35-year-old hooked a ball into a dangerous area and it ended up going all the way in, with Welch and Matty Stevens both scrambling for a touch.

The Magpies soon regained their lead as John Bostock swept home after a slick move down the right side.

County completed their scoring in the 68th minute when David McGoldrick was on the end of a devastating counter-attack, calmly slotting the ball past Luke Daniels.

However, Rovers once again got back in the game when Deeney grabbed his hat-trick. The striker emphatically slammed the ball into the back of the net from 12 yards, after Reece Brown was tripped in the box.

And Deeney could have scored a four and claimed a point for FGR, with his looping stoppage-time header striking the top of the crossbar.

Rovers are back in action next weekend as Morecambe visit The New Lawn.