A late Simon Spender own goal kept alive Notts' spirited push for the top seven, despite taking something of a battering from relegation haunted Wrexham.
Spender turned James Walker's cross into his own net with just two minutes of normal time remaining, with Notts registering no shots on target and only three off target for the whole ninety minutes.
It was very much a smash and grab raid, though that is usually the sign of a side with success in their sights.
Following three successive wins for the first time since March 2004, Notts boss Steve Thompson would be forgiven for naming an unchanged side. However he sprung a surprise, and a big one at that, by naming 16-goal top goalscorer Jason Lee on the bench. Lee has been an integral part of Thompson's tactics and scored on Saturday, but a mixture of his 35 year old
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Another surprise was that Stephen Hunt, coming towards the end of his first season at the club, was given the Captain's armband. With Team Captain Alan White departed and Club Captain Lee on the bench, Hunt took the role over more experienced professionals such as Mike Edwards and Austin McCann.
The former Colchester man began the game setting a Captain's example, sweeping away two early Wrexham crosses when danger loomed.
Indeed, the hosts began the game well, with a high tempo belying their current lack of confidence which saw them sitting perilously close to the League 2 drop zone in 22nd, prior to today's proceedings.
Notts' first opening came after McCann, who has twice created goals with good crosses in the past two games, knocked the ball into Andy Parkinson but his header spun wide without a whimper.
With Wrexham fighting relegation and Notts still alive in the playoff hunt, the lack of nerves on show was quite refreshing as both sides sought to gain the early advantage.
The Red Dragons' first real opening came after twelve minutes and saw Magpies centre-forward Lawrie Dudfield back defending in his own half and losing possession which allowed a moment of danger, only for Mark Jones to fire off target.
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Fortunately for Notts, he didn't use his whistle when Wrexham appealed for a penalty after nineteen minutes as Lee McEvilly went down in the box under a Hunt challenge. It appeared the decision was the correct one, but Notts were beginning to look a bit shaky.
None more so than McCann who was conceding possession on several occasions and did so to allow a Wrexham breakthrough which Hunt did well to get back and marshal away from certain danger.
The biggest danger up to then came when Chris Llewellyn headed against Kevin Pilkington's cross bar from a Ryan Valentine free-kick given away by Jay Smith. Llewellyn, a one time Notts target who had missed Wrexham's last four games due to suspension, directed the dead ball towards goal and was unlucky to see the bar spoil his return.
Notts were beginning to look second best, this against a side without a home win in eight, and with only four goals in that sequence. The biggest problem appeared to be in midfield where former Magpie Jeff Whitley was overrunning Somner, Ian Ross and the anonymous Smith.
Notts earnt the first corner of the game after 33 minutes but Ross' centre became irrelevant after the referee spotted an infringement from a Notts attacker.
Wrexham manager Brian Carey was forced into a change after 39 minutes when danger man Jones picked up an injury. He was replaced by Levi Mackin.
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Notts' inability to test Wrexham's fragile goalkeeper Anthony Williams was quite distressing considering how poor he looked. The three-pronged trio of Walker, Dudfield and Parkinson had yet to test him, and that was extended after Dudfield headed poorly straight into his arms shortly before the break. That was as good as it got in the first period.
Wrexham, so determined to get the three points to boost survival hopes, arrived on the pitch five minutes early for the second half to go through a coaching routine with a coach.
The so far ineffective McEvilly sprung into life early in the second half to test the irrepressible Hunt and Edwards at the back. McEvilly turned sharply and powerfully hit a low shot narrowly past Pilkington's post.
Notts were having problems with getting the ball down and playing, with the front three remaining on the periphery of things. Indeed, Notts rarely ventured into the hosts final third, but Wrexham failed to capitalise, Llewellyn looking rusty.
In a bid to change things the Magpies way, Thompson introduced another Charlton loanee in Myles Weston for Parkinson and Lee for Ross.
Somner thrashed well wide, before Wrexham again took hold. McEvilly, now much livelier, again thrashed an effort off target, but again it was close, just scraping the Notts bar.
Three of Notts' back four in Silk, Edwards and Hunt were looking extremely solid, highlighting just why Pilkington has managed three successive clean sheets, and another one looked on the cards despite the fourth of the quadruple, McCann, continuing to look nervy - not in tune with his recent solid displays.
The defensive solidity gave Notts every chance, even without a creative spark, though they were tested to the limits when former ace Whitley smashed a volley from the edge of the area against the post. Notts were hanging on by the skin of their teeth.
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But it was his Charlton team mate Walker who forced the late, late winner. Completely against the run of play he picked up a delightful ball out wide from the previously quiet Smith, and burst into the box before his shot-come-cross was rebounded into his own net by the unlucky Spender.
Whilst the small travelling support went into raptures, the pain and almost incredulity could be seen on all associated with luckless Wrexham.
Not that any Magpie can complain. Four wins, and of course four successive clean sheets, has seen a dramatic late surge for the top seven. With tough games to come against the top two in Walsall and Hartlepool, and with Shrewsbury still three points clear and with a game in hand, it is still very tough.
But Notts fans will cling on to any hope, any chance of reaching their goal... Even if it is an own one.