Tale of the R's: Rowson, Russell, referee and rubbish

Notts lost their final home game of the season thanks to a deflected 82^nd minute Brian Rowson free-kick.

Rowson... lucky goal decided game

In a game that neither side dominated, Notts can feel aggrieved somewhat following a totally inept refereeing performance. Not that the eleven picked by Steve Thompson fared that much better. The hosts should have had two penalties, whilst the officials constant tooting of the whilstle made for a boring, stop-start affair.

Thompson's eleven showed three changes from the one that picked up a point at promoted Hartlepool last week. In for his first start came Hull City loanee Michael Byron who replaced the suspended Stephen Hunt at the heart of the defence. Also included were returning injured midfielders Jay Smith and Gary Silk. Ian Ross and Myles Weston - who was unfit - missed out.

It took until the tenth minute for any serious action of note when Austin McCann's free-kick was blasted over Darlington 'keeper Sam Russell and his crossbar. It was a poor effort from the Scotsman whose missed penalty against the Pool almost certainly condemned Notts to another season of League 2 football - a fact that has now been confirmed with one game left to play.

The match itself was no better than McCann's effort with neither side stepping into second gear.

Darlington had a spell midway through the first half that threatened to break the deadlock. First Rory Prendergast and Julian Joachim combined to stretch Kevin Pilkington. Joachim moved well across the box and fed the onrushing Prendergast who fired at goal but Pilkington more than matched the low effort with a good save diving to his right.

From a similar position Ricky Ravenhill brought an almost identical save from the Notts number one. Ravenhill easily beat Byron on two occasions with a good dribble, but his final effort was tame and relatively easy for Pilkington to gather.

The Quakers were buoyed by their efforts and were the first of the two sides to increase the tempo. The lack of support from a poor away turnout wasn't helping, but Dave Penney's side did their best to inspire themselves with a good passing move ending with Rowson firing over the bar.

Lee... Came closest for Notts

This at least sparked lacklustre Notts into a little bit of attacking impetus with holding midfielder Somner firing all too high over the bar when placed well inside the 18-yard box.

Mike Edwards latched onto a set-piece just before the break but saw his effort well blocked as it looked destined to hit the target from no more than ten yards out.

In the second half Lee immediately headed over from a corner before Smith and Parkinson combined for the latter to force the save of the game. His dipping edge of the box volley looked destined to land just under Russell's bar but somehow he managed to rise highest and touch it over the woodwork.

Notts had a good penalty claim waved away soon after when it looked a certain handball on the goal-line as a McCann corner caused confusion. The referee this time chose to keep his whistle out of action, at a time when it actually should have been used.

Another superb Russell save denied Lee soon after, with Notts finally stepping into second gear and showing something of their recent good form. Lee's powerful header from another good McCann cross had fans on their feet such was it's accuracy. However, somehow Russell acrobatically denied him as Notts' players already turned to celebrate.

Russell...Inspired saves

Gary Silk was replaced by Dan Martin with 25 minutes to play, and he immediately attempted a shot that was blocked, falling to McCann whose effort was again blocked leaving Parkinson with the final attempt which he failed to connect with and missed the target when well placed.

James Walker replaced the quiet Dudfield for the final fifteen minutes, but it was strike partner Lee who caused the danger again with another header again kept out well by Russell.

Penney's men were looking every inch a side deflated by a poor run of form which has seen playoff aspirations disappear, but mustered one final effort to steal the points.

With 82 minutes on the clock Pipe hauled down an attacker and Rowson's low drive took a wicked deflection to fool Pilkington and nestle in the back of the net. It was fortuitous, undeserved and a fitting way to decide such a dour and scrappy affair.

Notts did little to suggest an equaliser was in the offering and another poor home season ended with an eighth defeat at Meadow Lane.

The sorry officiating didn't help matters, particularly the stop-start nature, but in truth despite a good second half spell, Notts were fairly poor. Slow, devoid of imagination and lacking the final touch. However, Russell's saves were out of the top drawer, so it can be argued Notts did enough, until Rowson's lucky strike.