Notts County fell to a 1-0 defeat at League Two's bottom club Wrexham this afternoon, with striker Neil Roberts securing the victory for Brian Little's side.

Notts had the best chance of a scoreless first-half with Danny Crow denied by Wrexham's veteran goalkeeper Gavin Ward, while in the second half sub Lawrie Dudfield and defender Stephen Hunt also came close to opening the scoring.

After seeing those chances go begging, the home side grabbed a vital goal towards their hopes of remaining in League Two as Neil Roberts guided the ball home at the far post from Matty Done's free-kick.

Ward denied Jason Lee soon afterwards as the Magpies looked for a quick response, and Notts were unable to find that equaliser they desperately desired.

Ian McParland opted to name an unchanged team for the game from the side that defeated Accrington Stanley 1-0 a week ago, with Ryan Jarvis again operating out wide on the right.

The Magpies forced the first opening on nine minutes from a Neil MacKenzie corner, but stretching to meet the midfielder's flag-kick just inside the penalty box Jason Lee volleyed wide.

Notts looked to take advantage of the fact the home side were forced to play with ten men for much of the opening minutes as defender Steve Evans received treatment for a cut on his head a minute into the game, but were unable to do so against a youthful Wrexham side.

Goalkeeper Russell Hoult was forced into his first save by Wrexham winger Wes Baynes on fifteen minutes after the dangerous wideman cut inside from the right to let fly from outside the box with a left-foot shot which was straight at down the throat of the on-loan Stoke goalkeeper.

A minute later a pin-point ball in behind the Wrexham defence by Neil MacKenzie sent striker Danny Crow scampering clear on goal for the first clear-cut chance of the game, but with Wrexham custodian Ward to beat the 22-year-old hit his effort straight at the veteran goalkeeper who was quickly off his line to rush Crow into shooting.

Notts kept the pressure on by forcing a number of corners throughout the half, six to be exact, and from those corners with Hunt and Edwards forwards from the back Notts were always looking dangerous.

Wrexham were looking desperate for the goal to keep their faint hopes of retaining their Football League status alive, but throughout the first-half were unable to create clear-cut chances and break through a resolute Notts defence. When they did get into some decent attacking positions their final ball was lacking, but they were displaying their enthusiasm to show they were not prepared to go down without a fight.

Half-Time: Wrexham 0-0 Notts County

Notts were forced into a change at the interval with Paul Mayo replacing Michael Johnson, who was still feeling the effects of a knock he received in the latter stages of the first half. Despite attempting to carry on, he clearly knew as soon as he emerged from the tunnel he was unable to carry on.

Lawrie Dudfield quickly followed from the bench, and within 90 seconds he almost broke the deadlock. He managed to close the ball down and win the ball off a Wrexham defender and advance towards goal, he then created enough room to get a shot in from just inside the box but he was just off target.

As the Magpies continued to pile on the pressure Stephen Hunt headed just wide with a clean header from Myles Weston's corner and from another flag-kick Notts almost made the breakthrough just after the hour but Ryan Jarvis fired into the side netting after Ward flapped at Neil MacKenzie's free-kick under pressure from Jason Lee.

Wrexham were looked vulnerable from set-plays and Notts almost made them pay soon after Jarvis' chance, but a goalmouth scramble in the Wrexham area somehow saw the home side survive in what was almost a cup-tie like fixture.

Baynes flashed a long-range effort inches wide for the home side with their first real attempt of the half fifteen minutes from time, yet with their first effort on target two minutes later Wrexham took the lead.

After Canoville hacked down Done on the edge of the box the Magpies couldn't defend the set-piece, and Neil Roberts guided the ball into the roof of the net at the far post to hand the home side the lead and send the Racecourse Ground into raptures.

The goal opened up the game with Baynes and Mike Williams both going within inches of doubling Wrexham's lead, but the former was just off target and the latter forced an excellent save at point-blank range from Russell Hoult.

Jason Lee's glancing header six minutes from time was tipped away by the fingertips of Gavin ward as Notts pushed forwards for an equaliser.

Notts threw Wayne Corden into the mix for the final five minutes in place of Ryan Jarvis, but they were unable to make the breakthrough - meaning the Magpies will have to wait another week to try and preserve their League Two status when they take on Wycombe Wanderers at Meadow Lane.

Full Time: Wrexham 1-0 Notts County

Wrexham: Ward, Pejic, S Evans, Roberts, Mike Williams, Mackin (D Williams 71), Fleming (Murtagh 71), Done (G Evans 90), Marc Williams, Taylor, Baynes.
Subs Not Used: Proctor, Jones.
Booked: None.
Sent Off: None.
Goals: Roberts (77).

Notts County: Hoult, Canoville, Edwards (C), Johnson (Mayo 46), Hunt, Jarvis (Corden 86), Butcher, MacKenzie, Weston, Lee, Crow (Dudfield 52).
Subs Not Used: Weir-Daley, Tann.
Booked: Canovile.
Sent Off: None.
Goals: None.

Match Referee: Mr A Bates

Attendance: 4,076 (628 Notts County Fans)

nottscountyfc.co.uk Man of the Match: Mike Edwards