Scrappy point aids survival effort

Notts manager Gudjon Thordarson knew that this was the ideal opportunity for his side to ensure their League Two survival - but seemingly forgot to tell his players after a dreadful first half.

Thordarson had again persevered with David Pipe alongside Steve Scoffham in attack, with Lewis McMahon coming into the midfield in place of the injured Rob Ullathorne.

In one of the worst 45 minutes ever seen at Meadow Lane, it was no surprise that the scoreline read 0-0 when referee Graham Salisbury put an end to the misery.

Martin: On target

Notts made one change at the break, Daniel Chillingworth replacing the below-par Scoffham, who had taken a knock in the latter stages of the stagnant first half.

The second half remained as abysmal as the first until Pipe suddenly burst into the Rochdale half and having beaten off the attention of Griffiths, saw his shot blocked by the outstretched legs of 'Dale keeper Matthew Gilks. From the ensuing scramble, Chris Palmer also had a shot blocked.

This was the kick-start the game and minutes later Notts were in front. A determined run by Martin saw the Notts man beat off the challenge of Mark Jackson before hitting a firm shot from 20 yards, the ball perectly placed just inside the left upright.

It was top-notch finishing from the youngster, who was playing as a left back in-place of Ullathorne.

A pleasing moment of the afternoon, came with the appearence of 16-year-old Stefan Frost from the substitutes bench. Frost showed some nice touches and a sharp turn of pace against senior opposition. The youngster can no doubt expect to feature more regulalry in the next campaign.

Notts could have added a second minutes after Martin's effort, but an unmarked Mike Edwards somehow completely missed the ball from six yards out.

Any thoughts that the Magpies would finally end their winless home run dating back to Jan 21st were wrecked when Julien Baudet allowed Chris Dagnall to get the wrong side of him, his attempt to get back on terms with the Rochdale striker was deemed to forceful by the match official - much to the anger of the home faithful.

Prolific midfielder Lambert stepped up and gave Kevin Pilkington little chance with a very well taken spot kick.

Despite the blow, Notts could have still won the game in the last minute, but Chillingworth failed to direct his header on target from 3 yards out.

Results from around the country now mean that the Magpies need only one point from their two remaining games to make themselves mathematically safe but it will come as a huge disappointment to Thordarson and co. that the job wasn't completed yesterday afternoon.