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Michael Johnson’s first ever Notts goal could prove to be one of the clubs most important in recent years as Ian McParland's side grabbed a precious 1-0 victory over Rochdale.
The win, County’s first in six and only their second at home this calender year, may prove so crucial in the final standings as they moved six points clear of the bottom two, ahead of Monday’s visit to Shrewsbury.
The blustery conditions around Meadow Lane were not conducive to free-flowing football and both sides struggled to adapt.
Rochdale’s best work stemmed from the right side, with Rene Howe first teasing Paul Mayo before Chris Basham fired a cross in at the near post, which was comfortably dealt with by Russell Hoult.
It was the Magpies who fashioned the first goal-scoring opportunity though when a hopeful punt forward dropped in to the path of the diminutive Danny Crow, who found himself alone with all the time in the world, but he snatched at his shot and his attempted lob dropped the wrong side of the post.
Notts took the initiative with Crow and Butcher going close shortly after, and the home side were rewarded for their endeavour when, after excellent work by Wayne Corden inside the Rochdale box, Michael Johnson tapped home from close range.
The visitors should have equalised right on the stroke of half-time, when a deep corner found its way to the back post, but Adam Le Fondre blasted over when it was easier to hit the target.
Rochdale started the second-half brightly, dominating the possession and laying siege to the County goal early on. Rene Howe must have wandered how he didn’t equalise when his powerful volley was somehow deflected over through a crowd of bodies on the goal line.
Notts failure to take control of midfield resulted in a shortage of supply to the front men and Danny Crow, who worked tirelessly for the Notts cause, was replaced by Jason Lee.
The substitution did little to stem the flow of the game, but County defended stoutly despite the visitors having a goal disallowed and Howe again going close at the death.
The win, County’s first in six and only their second at home this calender year, may prove so crucial in the final standings as they moved six points clear of the bottom two, ahead of Monday’s visit to Shrewsbury.
The blustery conditions around Meadow Lane were not conducive to free-flowing football and both sides struggled to adapt.
Rochdale’s best work stemmed from the right side, with Rene Howe first teasing Paul Mayo before Chris Basham fired a cross in at the near post, which was comfortably dealt with by Russell Hoult.
It was the Magpies who fashioned the first goal-scoring opportunity though when a hopeful punt forward dropped in to the path of the diminutive Danny Crow, who found himself alone with all the time in the world, but he snatched at his shot and his attempted lob dropped the wrong side of the post.
Notts took the initiative with Crow and Butcher going close shortly after, and the home side were rewarded for their endeavour when, after excellent work by Wayne Corden inside the Rochdale box, Michael Johnson tapped home from close range.
The visitors should have equalised right on the stroke of half-time, when a deep corner found its way to the back post, but Adam Le Fondre blasted over when it was easier to hit the target.
Rochdale started the second-half brightly, dominating the possession and laying siege to the County goal early on. Rene Howe must have wandered how he didn’t equalise when his powerful volley was somehow deflected over through a crowd of bodies on the goal line.
Notts failure to take control of midfield resulted in a shortage of supply to the front men and Danny Crow, who worked tirelessly for the Notts cause, was replaced by Jason Lee.
The substitution did little to stem the flow of the game, but County defended stoutly despite the visitors having a goal disallowed and Howe again going close at the death.
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