Michael Johnson's goal earned Notts County a priceless 1-0 victory at home to Rochdale this afternoon.

After a slow start to the game the Magpies dominated the first period from the twenty-minute mark, with Danny Crow coming close on three occasions - but it was an unlikely source that handed Notts the lead on twenty-eight minutes in the form of centre-back who tapped home from close range after Ryan Jarvis helped Wayne Corden's cross into his path.

Despite the visitors enjoying the majority of the second period, they were unable to really cause Notts too many problems as Ian McParland's men netted a priceless three points. Johnson cleared Howe's shot off the line on the hour, and that was the closest the visitors came.

Off the back of the impressive display at Peterborough United a week ago Ian McParland had some thinking to do in terms of selection with Danny Crow back in contention after being unable to play against his parent club a week ago - and McParland opted to recall him in place of Jason Lee who was on the bench.

Wayne Corden was handed his home debut; while Stephen Hunt's groin injury picked up in training on Thursday ruled him out of the sixteen.

Rochdale got the game underway with the Magpies kicking towards their own fans in the first period, and Russell Hoult was called into early action to snuff out a cross-shot by Rene Howe for the visitors while Adam Tann also made a fine clearance from the same players' cross.

In high winds neither side were able to stamp their authority on the game in the early stages of this important encounter for both sides - but Notts wasted a golden chance nineteen minutes to take the lead in the first clear-cut opening.

A long ball forwards from Hoult was caught in the wind and fell perfectly to the feet of an unmarked Danny Crow in the box who intelligently read the situation and made a perfectly timed run onto the ball - but despite lifting the ball over the stranded Lee he couldn't get the ball on target and the ball drifted wide. Ian McParland stood head in hands on the touchline gritting his teeth wondering how the chance had gone begging.

Crow had another opportunity a few minutes afterwards, but under pressure inside the area he fired snatch-shot from Butcher's cross over the bar. The young forward controlled the ball neatly, but with Stanton sliding in he had to get his shot away quickly, lifting the ball into the Family Stand.

Notts continued to put the pressure on and a long-range drive from Richard Butcher took a slight deflection which denied Notts' leading scorer a spectacular twelfth goal of the campaign - but Notts didn't have to wait long to take the lead.

From the resulting corner Notts made the breakthrough. A corner from Corden was played back into his path by Smith, and Corden set off on a weaving run into the area from the right, and his ball across the floor was helped on by Ryan Jarvis and then simply tapped home from a few yards out by Michael Johnson - the homegrown defender back in his second spell at Meadow Lane from Derby County.

It was a deserved goal too because Notts had stepped up the pressure and taken the game to the playoff chasers, who were unable to test the solid-looking Notts rearguard throughout the half.

Crow almost doubled Notts' lead five minutes before the break, but he wasn't able to get his shot on target having smartly run in behind the Rochdale defence to get on the end of Tann's ball forwards. Under pressure from two Rochdale defenders as he advanced into the box he was unable to get any real power or accuracy on the bouncing ball.

Half-Time: Notts County 1-0 Rochdale

Notts began the second period having had to make a change at the back with Lee Canoville on for Mike Edwards, meaning Captain Adam Tann reverted to centre-back and Canoville slotting in at right-back.

Rochdale were lively in the opening stages of the half having clearly been given a half-time ticking-off by Manager Keith Hill, and Basham's left-foot snap-shot was just wide two minutes into the half although Hoult seemed to have the shot covered.

By the hour the visitors had been able to get a real grip-hold on the game, but were unable to turn their pressure into chances. The back four and Hoult were simply outstanding, doing what needed to be done - keeping it simple and snuffing out the visitors at vital moments.

Johnson was on hand to clear a Howe shot off the line just after the hour while Hoult made a good block from Jones from a narrow angle - but clear-cut chances were few and far between.

The visitors had a goal disallowed fifteen minutes from time for a foul on Paul Mayo by Jones, while Notts opted for a more physical approach in the latter stages by bringing on Jason Lee in place of the hardworking Danny Crow.

Johnson was replaced by Parkinson in the final ten minutes to a standing ovation following an outstanding display, but with a vital game to play on Monday at Shrewsbury he was replaced after picking up a slight knock which saw Silk move to centre-back for a short period before Canoville moved there.

Howe lashed a shot wide for Rochdale five minutes from time, scraping the far post with Hoult rooted to the spot.

A tense and nervy four minutes of added time were signalled by the Fourth Official, but the excellent Magpies were resolute and determined not to let the lead slip - while the home crowd played their part in the victory by responding to Ian McParland and Paul Mayo's comments in the week to stick with the players throughout.

With Shrewsbury to come at the New Meadow in less than 48 hours time, Notts can head to Shropshire in confident mood having moved further away from the bottom sides with this vital win. At times Notts had to dig deep, but the Magpies deserved it.

Full Time: Notts County 1-0 Rochdale

TODAY'S GAME WAS SPONSORED BY SPORTWISE MARKETING

Notts County: Hoult, Tann (C), Edwards (Canoville 46), Johnson (Parkinson 83), Mayo, Butcher, Silk, Smith, Corden, Crow (Lee 73), Jarvis.
Subs Not Used: MacKenzie, Weir-Daley.
Booked: Edwards.
Sent Off: None.
Goals: Johnson (28).

Rochdale: Lee, Ramsden, Kennedy, Stanton, Jones (C), Le Fondre, Rundle (Thompson 85), Perkins, Basham (Muirhead 85), McArdle, Howe.
Subs Not Used: Rigby, Doolan, Holness.
Booked: Kennedy.
Sent Off: None.
Goals: None.

Match Referee: Mr R Lee

Attendance: 4,030 (583 Rochdale Fans)

nottscountyfc.co.uk Man of the Match: Michael Johnson