Match Report: Notts County boost relegation survival hopes with victory over Cheltenham Town

Notts County have extended their gap above the League Two relegation zone to three points after a 2-1 win over Cheltenham Town in Saturday's game at Meadow Lane.

The Magpies began brightly and took the lead in the 24th minute when Michael O'Connor unlocked the Robins defence with a delightful pass which curled into the path of a charging Jon Stead, who bore down on goal under pressure and rifled past Scott Brown into the roof of the net.

Just nine minutes later, Kevin Nolan's side had doubled their lead with the kind of goal which has often been their undoing this season, so it was a relief to see it scored at the other end of the pitch as Mark Yeates swung a corner into the box and Richard Duffy shrugged off the opposition defenders to nod home.

Notts could have been three to the good just before half time when Stead raced through one-on-one, but Brown blocked well this time.

Despite a tactical shuffle by Cheltenham boss Gary Johnson, which saw his side improve, Notts remained a threat as substitute Jonathan Forte hit the post and Tahvon Campbell skewed the follow-up wide in the 75th minute.

Manny Onariase managed to grab a late goal for the visitors to set up a nervy finish for the home crowd, but the Magpies held firm and secured all three points which gave their first against the drop a much-needed boost.

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