Notts County's League Two status was secured this afternoon with a vital 1-0 victory over Wycombe Wanderers - thanks to Richard Butcher.

After a scoreless first period which saw Wycombe hit the Notts wood-work the Magpies broke the deadlock just after the hour as leading scorer Richard Butcher slotted home his twelfth goal of the season after latching onto Jason Lee's final through-ball in behind the Wycombe defence.

Stockley saw red in the final minutes for the visitors for a second yellow card.

A win was what was required to secure League Two football next season against the promotion chasers - and Notts did it.

Ian McParland named an unchanged side for the third successive game this afternoon, despite the 1-0 reverse at Wrexham a week ago. The only change to the sixteen was on the bench, with Gary Silk replacing Spencer Weir-Daley.

With well over 3,000 fans cheering Notts on from the Kop, the Magpies were aiming for a bright start to the game - but almost experienced the worst possible beginning to proceedings on just two minutes as Wycombe's leading scorer Scott McGleish rattled Russell Hoult's crossbar from Russell Martin's left-wing cross with a firm header.

The visitors were out of the traps like the proverbial bull at a gatepost, and McGleish's strike partner John Sutton drilled a left-foot effort just over from twenty-five yards a minute later as Notts had to live with a lively start to proceedings from Paul Lambert's promotion-chasers.

Myles Weston's pace throughout the first period was an outlet that allowed Notts to soak up pressure and then hit the visitors on the break, but on the occasions he did manage to get into the attacking third his final ball was cut out by the alert Wycombe defence.

Despite retaining the ball well throughout the half and have the majority of the possession, Wycombe weren't able to fashion many clear-cut openings as Notts continued their fine defensive efforts on home soil.

Just before the half-hour Notts were forced into a substitution, with right-back Lee Canoville sustaining what looked to be a calf injury and he was replaced by Adam Tann - himself back in action after a few games on the bench after injury.

Notts' first real opportunity came just after the half-hour mark, but Myles Weston's left-foot effort from the edge of the box after using good upper-body strength to win the ball from Palmer and advance towards goal was off target.

Facey's curling effort after MacKenzie had lost possession a minute before the break could have been costly, but his shot was straight at Russell Hoult as the half ended goalless.

Half-Time: Notts County 0-0 Wycombe Wanderers

Notts began the second period brightly, and attacking towards their own fans in the Kop Stand the Magpies were looking to make use of the magnificent Notts support to help suck the ball into the net.

However, from a set-piece just before the hour Notts survived a big scare as Oakes' delivery to the far post caught the Magpies back-line unawares - but Antwi's free-header at the back post across goal wasn't well read by anyone in a Wycombe shirt and Notts survived.

By the hour Notts had really built up some momentum and had the visitors firmly on the back foot, but from a goal-mouth scramble, numerous long-throws and a smart right-foot effort straight at Fielding in the Wycombe goal from Weston the Magpies couldn't make the breakthrough - but they were banging firmly on the Wycombe door.

Without a goal since the start of March, Richard Butcher had become frustrated at not adding to his eleven-goal tally in recent weeks - but on sixty-six minutes his wait was over. A fine run from the left by Myles Weston opened up the Wycombe defence, and when the ball ran away from him Jason Lee took control and lifted a fine ball in behind the Wycombe defence and Butcher's run was perfectly timed - and he simply lifted the ball over Fielding and the ball trickled over the line with the fans in the Kop sucking the ball over the line.

Pandemonium followed, and the relief was there for all to see - it was a crucial goal. And also fitting it should come from the Magpies' leading scorer.

Notts could have added to that goal soon afterwards with their tails firmly up - but MacKenzie's free-kick from outside the area was off target. Minutes later Lawrie Dudfield was introduced into the action in place of Danny Crow, who ran himself into the ground with another hardworking display.

As the final ten minutes approached, the nerves began to take over - from both the fans and the players, and Russell Hoult displayed little of those nerves with a fine save from Facey's downward header ten minutes from time after Torres delivered a fine cross from the right.

Stephen Hunt nearly dispelled the late nerves with a low left-foot drive across the floor from outside the box, but he was just off target with Fielding scrambling across his line.

Forget the late fears, forget the disappointment of being in this position today of needing to win today - savour the celebration tonight. Notts are safe. We did it.

Full Time: Notts County 1-0 Wycombe Wanderers

TODAY'S GAME WAS SPONSORED BY HILLSIDE MEDICAL SUPPLIES

Notts County: Hoult, Canoville (Tann 28), Edwards (C), Johnson, Hunt, Jarvis, Butcher, MacKenzie, Weston, Crow (Dudfield 76), Lee.
Subs Not Used: Mayo, Silk, Corden.
Booked: Lee, Weston, Tann.
Sent Off: None.
Goals: Butcher (66).

Wycombe Wanderers: Fielding, Palmer (Torres 71), Martin (Rice 90), Antwi, McCracken, Oakes, Sutton (Phillips 83), McGleish, Stockley, Facey, Boucaud.
Subs Not Used: Young, Woodman.
Booked: Boucaud, Stockley.
Sent Off: None.
Goals: Stockley.

Match Referee: Mr M Oliver

Attendance: 7,327 (536 Wycombe Wanderers Fans)

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