Mark Duffy's first goal for Morecambe earned them a vital three points to keep their slim play-off hopes alive.

The substitute popped up in the box to latch on to Diarmuid O'Carroll's hopeful through ball to poke the ball past Kevin Pilkington for the only goal of a match that lacked any real quality.

Notts County started the game the better with Morecambe keeper Barry Roche forced into an excellent block from John Thompson's close-range header.

Morecambe started slowly but came to life midway through the half with Rene Howe firing straight at Pilkington after a good run into the box before the same player flashed a shot inches wide of the right hand post after 21 minutes.

County always looked dangerous on the break though and Myles Weston should have done better than spooned a shot way over the bar.

The first chance of the second half fell to Delroy Facey whose snapshot was parried away by Roche and a few moments later Morecambe had a great chance at the other end of the pitch.

Duffy found Michael Twiss with a superb through ball to beat the offside trap but Twiss made a mess of the opportunity with only the keeper to beat.

Twiss was soon replaced by young substitute Aaron Taylor who was soon in the action, slipping a pass wide to Garry Hunter whose superb chip shot was superbly tipped over by Pilkington before heading a Hunter corner narrowly wide.

The pressure paid off when O'Carroll flicked a ball over his head and Duffy nipped in stab the ball home.

County rallied with Roche getting down well to block a low shot from Matt Hamshaw before tipping over a header from Richard Butcher and pushing a Jamie Clapham shot wide as the Magpies pushed for an elusive equaliser.

Jonathan Forte came within a whisker of surprising Roche from 25 yards out but his excellent volley landed on top of the netting much to the Shrimps' relief.