 He formed a productive forward partnership with Jackie Sewell in the 1948 – 49 campaign , and scored 23 goals in 40 league and cup appearances . County finished in mid @-@ table despite scoring 102 goals , 15 more than champions Swansea . Stollery was sacked and upon Lawton 's suggestion the club appointed Eric Houghton as manager after Lawton turned down the role as player @-@ manager . Lawton and Sewell 's understanding grew throughout the 1949 – 50 campaign , and Lawton finished as the division 's top @-@ scorer with 31 goals in 37 league games as County won promotion as champions , seven points ahead of second @-@ placed Northampton Town . Promotion was secured with a 2 – 0 win over local rivals Nottingham Forest at Meadow Lane on 22 April . 
 He formed a productive forward partnership with Jackie Sewell in the 1948 – 49 campaign , and scored 23 goals in 40 league and cup appearances . County finished in mid @-@ table despite scoring 102 goals , 15 more than <a href='uninflect' title='1'><mark>champions</mark></a> Swansea . Stollery was sacked and upon Lawton <a href='null_genetive' title='2'><mark>'s</mark></a>suggestion the club appointed Eric Houghton as manager after Lawton turned down the role as player @-@ manager . Lawton and Sewell <a href='null_genetive' title='3'><mark>'s</mark></a>understanding grew throughout the 1949 – 50 campaign , and Lawton finished as the division <a href='null_genetive' title='4'><mark>'s</mark></a>top @-@ scorer with 31 goals in 37 league games as County won promotion as champions , seven points ahead of second @-@ placed Northampton Town . Promotion was secured with a 2 – 0 win over local rivals Nottingham Forest at Meadow Lane on 22 April . 
He formed a productive forward partnership w Jackie Sewell in the 1948 – 49 campaign , and scored 23 goals in 40 league and cup appearances . County finished in mid @-@ table despite scoring 102 goals , 15 more den champion Swansea . Stollery was sacked and upon Lawton  suggestion the club appointed Eric Houghton as manager after Lawton turned downn da role as player @-@ manager . Lawton and Sewell  understanding grew throughout the 1949 – 50 campaign , and Lawton finished as tdadivision  top @-@ scorer with 31 goals in 37 league games as County won promotion as champions , seven points ahead of second @-@ placed Northampton Town . Promotion was secured witwitt2 – 0 win over local rivals Nottingham Forest at Meadow Lane on 22 April .