Four defeats in a row sees relegation rear its ugly head

Notts had taken the lead as early as the eighth minute in the early KO clash, Glynn Hurst profiting on a goalkeeping howler after Stefan Oakes' rasping drive was fumbled to give The Magpies the advantage against the run of play.

However, two goals either side of half time turned the game and sealed the win for Rovers.

You look how I feel, Richo

First, stand-in captain Julien Baudet fired into his own net under heavy pressure, before a looping header from Richard Walker on 52 minutes proved to be the winner, and the goal that left Notts in trouble again.

With Kidderminster gaining a credible 2-0 win at Promotion chasing Darlington, it leaves Notts 7 points clear of the bottom two with 7 games to play. Our fate is certainly very much in our hands, but Notts should be out of sight by now.

The fact that relegation from the Football League is a cause for concern with just 7 games remaining is an illustration of just how bad this season has been.

Anyway, back to the game.

Notts manager Ian Richardson - absent from the bench due to his knee operation yesterday - made two changes to the side that lost 3-2 to Chester last Saturday.

Baudet returned from his calf strain to replace Emmet Friars, who dropped to the bench. Mike Whitlow had been rated 50/50 to recover from his knee strain, but the experienced defender had to sit this one out.

Meanwhile, 18-year-old midfielder Ruben Zadkovich made his home debut in an extremely narrow-looking midfield, replacing David Pipe - who is on under-21 international duty.

Baudet: Back after injury

Notts were immediately put on the back foot by the extremely lively visitors, who had no less then four decent chances to score in the opening five minutes.

First, Matt Gill was required to head off the line after slack marking had allowed Steve Elliot to head at goal. Missed efforts from John Anderson and ex-Magpie James Hunt were then followed by a strike from Aaron Lescott narrowly squirming wide of Rob Elliot's left-hand post.

A vintage opening, it wasn't.

Despite this, The Magpies managed to work their way back into the game and even gain an unlucky lead to cap a breathless start.

Stefan Oakes - following the lead of Zadkovich, who was denied moments earlier - showed no signs of nerves, striking a rasping 25-yard drive that saw visiting stopper Peter Clarke fumble on the greasy service, which left Hurst with his second tap-in in two games to give the home side an 8th minute lead.

Despite the goal signalling some good attacking play from Notts, the defensive shortcomings in the side were still apparent and, almost straight after taking the lead, on-loan stopper Elliot prevented an equaliser with an excellent low save to deny Walker.

In contrast with recent games at Meadow Lane, the game was at least not short in entertainment, with Zadkovich's presence in midfield bringing the best out of Oakes, who came close with a 35-yard strike.

The Gasmen were by no means being outplayed though, and Elliot was soon required to make his second excellent save from Walker on 22 minutes.

Hurst; Got the goal

Whilst Walker was having the chances, it was his strike partner who was causing the real damage. Junior Agogo - hilariously targeted by Mansfield in the past week - was a real force, using both his pace and strength to great effect.

The hitman became the latest Rovers' player to go close just two minutes after Walker's chance, shrugging off the struggling Shane McFaul and hitting a powerful drive that was again well-saved by the impressive Elliot.

For the next 15 minutes Notts enjoyed their best spell of the game, without really creating any chances. Oakes and Zadkovich were dominant in midfield - how refreshing to see two midfielders in the same Notts side who can both pass - though the midfield quartet did all seem a little unsure as to where they were playing.

Despite the spell of good football, the defensive frailties were always there and, with 43 minutes on the clock, the sadly inevitable equaliser was chalked-up.

An error from McFaul led to Rovers left wing-back Robbie Ryan - pitting his wits against none other then Cristiano Ronaldo in last seasons FA Cup final - firing a dangerous ball across the face of the box and, though Agogo claimed the final touch, the goal was credited as a Baudet own goal.

There was still time for Oakes to sky a free-kick before the excellent referee brought to a close the eventful half.

Half time: Notts County 1-1 Bristol Rovers

As the players came out for the second half, the game was very much in the balance - but Notts' start was the better of the two teams'.

Almost immediately came one of the games' biggest talking points, as Clarke appeared to handle outside his area.

Oakes: Industrious

The referee waited for confirmation from his assistant, who was much nearer the incident, but the linesman failed to flag - so no offence was given, much to the annoyance of the home support.

Taking into account the fact that Rovers had no substitute keeper, it's hard to underestimate the importance of the flag-mans decision. But we all know we at Notts County don't like excuses - and we at NCM hate blaming officials - so we won't dwell on it too much. Naturally.

Shortly after the incident, a barnstorming run from Zadkovich saw the young Aussie fire a 25-yard effort narrowly wide of Price's right-hand upright. For a home debut, it certainly was impressive stuff from the teenager.

Two minutes after the run though, and it was Bristol's turn to score against the run of play.

A cross from the right from the impressive Aaron Lescott met the head of Walker, whose header looped over Elliot and into the net in front of the ecstatic travelling supporters.

The game could have been dead and buried 3 minutes later when Agogo again shoved McFaul off the ball and again hit a well-struck left-foot shot that was brilliantly saved by Elliot.

Agogo: Constant menace

The teenager on-loan from Charlton made many excellent saves throughout the game, but this one was far and away the best. Quite brilliant.

Oakes again came close with a powerful long-range effort to relieve some of the pressure, before Ian Richardson - or John Gaunt, depending on whoever was making the decisions this afternoon - made their first substitution with 25 minutes remaining.

The change was a merciful one, replacing 18-year-old McFaul - who has been dealt a rough hand in recent weeks, being asked to play as a full-back - with Tony 'Eminem' Scully.

This meant Scully would play as an orthodox right winger, hopefully giving Notts the width they had been lacking, and Bolland moving to full-back.

It was Bristol who were still creating the better chances though, and Lescott came extremely close with a thunderbolt after some neat link-up play - his shot just scraping over the bar.

A great bit of industry from Mark Stallard almost got Notts the leveller with just over 20 minutes left to play, when the on-loan Barnsley frontman lofted a peach of a pass into the path of Hurst.

The pass was just a tiny bit too strong though, and the ex-Chesterfield forward could only lob his shot into the side-netting.

Scully: Had a good day

The erratic Scully was certainly having one of his better days, teasing and tormenting his markers and providing a steady supply line from the right, though the majority of his crosses - or the resulting corners - were well dealt with by ex Forest man - and Jesus lookalike - Christian Edwards.

With 15 minutes remaining, it was the moment many fans had been waiting for. After 10 months out with a twice broken leg, Steve Scoffham was stripped off and ready for first-team action.

The player the former Gedling forward would replace was to some surprise though, Stallard making way - rather then the expected Hurst.

Just before the subsitution, Oakes had again gone close with a strike identical to his early effort, that had also flew past the left-hand post.

Notts continued to apply steady pressure, with the management somewhat strangely opting to switch to a 3-5-2. Hindsight is a beautiful thing ofcourse, but this ended up often preventing The Magpies' attacking threat, with Scully and Oakes both forced into deeper roles.

The home side had to wait until the 89th minute for their next real chance, and it fell to Scoffham.

The ball broke lose to the 21-year-old subsitute and when one-on-one with the keeper and the script as good as written, the striker fluffed his lines, Clarke making a good save with his feet low to his left.

Despite a few more last ditch corners, and one Hurst overhead kick that fell wide, that was that and The Magpies' find themselves again looking over their shoulders in a season that was thought of as a write-off less then a month ago.

Full time: Notts County 1-2 Bristol Rovers

Four defeats in a row now for Notts, and it'd be a brave person to predict that run ending at Yeovil on Tuesday.

Despite losing, this display was an improvement on the last home display against Kidderminster, with Zadkovich's presence in midfield being one of the key factors in the increased number of chances created.

It was the number of chances created at the other end where the problems lie, ofcourse, and it's now up to Richardson to stop bickering with the board and ensure this side doesn't do the unthinkable and become the first ever Notts County team to drop out of the Football League.

Match Ratings and reaction to follow.