The great escape begins as Notts climb out of relegation zone

Notts County stretched their impressive winning run to four matches at the expense of promotion-chasing Bristol City.

But City made them work hard for the points and probably felt aggreived not to get anything out of the contest.

The visitors enjoyed far more possession and, in the second half particularly, it was virtually one-way traffic towards the Notts goal.

But City came unstuck time and again against a really resolute back four, all of whom were outstanding.

Solid

Central defender Nick Fenton was the chief obstacle to City's progress but the supporting cast of Liam Richardson, Craig Ireland and Kevin Nicholson was also faultless.

It was somewhat against the run of play when Notts forged ahead just past the quarter-hour mark with a spectacular solo goal.

Belting goal

Michael Brough fed Marcel Cas inside the right-hand touchline and he ran and ran and ran before cutting inside before choosing to shoot from 22 yards, a scorching drive finishing inside Steve Phillips' right-hand post.

Notts should have doubled their lead before the break, Danny Allsopp, the leading County scorer wasted two good opportunities. He lifted the first over the bar and the second effort rolled along the goal-line.

Notts should also have had a penalty when Richard Liburd was upended, a decision about which manager Bill Dearden felt so strongly that he lodged an official word of complaint with the referee afterwards.

Well taken goal

Emerging from a long period of defensive action, Notts settled the issue with a second goal. Richard Liburd and Allsopp did the spadework before young Paul Heffernan juggled the ball past two defenders before shooting low into the net for his fifth goal but his first at Meadow Lane.

City manager Danny Wilson used all three substitutes in a vain attempt to pull the game round but, having withstood the storm, it was Notts who finshed the match in brighter vain.

The best home attendance of the season stayed to cheer Notts off the pitch as the tannoy system blasted out the theme tune from 'The Great Escape'. The fans were excellent and were in a superb vocal voice as they saw Notts not conceed a goal in four matches.

Will this stand hold Divions two or three supporters next season?

And indeed, for the first time in 15 weeks, County have edged out of the relegation zone. It can only get better, I fancy us beating Brighton at this rate.