Notts County 4 - 1 Carlisle United

22nd March 2014. Mark the date. Today was quite possibly one of the best single match days for all Notts fans.

Derby County's 5-0 demolition of the Red Dogs, aside from being an amazing example of schadenfreude over the arrogant neighbours, must have spurred on the Notts players, because they then went out and played like a side chasing promotion, not on the verge of relegation, as they thrashed Carlisle United 4-1 and gave themselves a tiny, infinitesimal glimmer of hope.

The match started in a scrappy manner, with the visitors having the game's first chances, courtesy of Brad Potts and Sam Byrne.

On the quarter-hour mark, good play by Jimmy Spencer led to the youngster setting up Jamal Campbell-Ryce, the winger's subsequent cross nearly finding Jack Grealish at the back post.

Carlisle nearly scored in the 21st minute when they broke quickly following an Alan Sheehan free kick, but the offside flag came up, while on the half-hour mark, Bartosz Bialkowski had to be at his best to thwart Lee Miller.

Just a few minutes later, the under-pressure Magpies took the lead thanks to Haydn Hollis, his header sending the Notts fans into raptures.

The offside flag rescued the home side once again after another chance by Miller, before Notts then doubled their lead to the delight of the Meadow Lane faithful.

The brilliant Spencer held the ball up brilliantly before playing it to Gary Liddle, who then sent a low cross Ronan Murray's way for him to tap home.

Caution was the order of the day for everyone involved with Notts, who have let this kind of lead slip one too many times this season, and the home side was nearly beaten from a David Amoo chance.

Just after the restart, Hollis, who had only scored his first ever goal for the Magpies earlier on in the game, only went and doubled his personal career tally with an incredible header to put his side 3-0 up.

The youngster, surely gunning for a hat-trick, then showed his great defensive credentials by clearing the ball when under pressure from David Symington.

James Berrett then pulled a goal back for Carlisle just before the hour, his long-range shot bouncing off the post and beating Bart.

However, the Cumbrians weren't about to embark on an amazing final 30 minutes and score a further three goals to break Notts hearts, not this time.

The fantastic Liddle, whose presence has been sorely missed this season, scored arguably one of the greatest goals Meadow Lane has seen in recent years with an outstanding overhead kick past Jordan Pickford in the 70th minute. Take a bow, son.

With Carlisle completely deflated, Notts were able to register several more chances, but the game would end 4-1.

In the grand scheme of things, we have to remember that we are still bottom of League One, five points from safety. Things are still not looking rosy, we still have to keep plugging and repeating performances like today's if we're to survive this horrendous quagmire.

But whatever happens, enjoy today, fellow Notts fans. This weekend, Nottingham belongs to the Magpies.