Notts County 1-3 Preston North End

Two games to go. That's all Notts have left if they are to salvage their League One status after succumbing to a 3-1 defeat at home to seemingly Championship-bound Preston North End.

The Lilywhites broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute when Jermaine Beckford produced a thundering finish from Joe Garner's setup.

Garner then got on the scoresheet himself just after the half-hour mark when he fired in from inside the six-yard box after some poor Magpies defending.

Notts set about trying to reduce the deficit and saw Graham Burke twice force goalkeeper Sam Johnstone into saves.

The hosts' persistence paid off with just under 20 minutes left when Jimmy Spencer scored his first goal of the season after holding off a defender before turning and firing home.

Meadow Lane roared their boys on and were rewarded with some great attacking play as they searched for an equaliser.

Garry Thompson spurned a massive chance to draw level when put through by Liam Noble, but he could only fire at Johnstone's legs.

And it proved costly as Beckford bagged his second five minutes from time when he raced through to drive past Roy Carroll and kill the game off.