Notts County's five-match unbeaten run came to an end at Meadow Lane this evening with Darlington claiming a 1-0 victory.

After both sides it the woodwork in the first period it was the visitors who took the lead in the final minute of the half as midfielder Ricky Ravenhill drove home a loose ball inside the penalty area, and despite huffing-and-puffing Notts weren't able to break down a resolute Quakers outfit.

Striker Jason Lee was recalled for the visit of second-placed Darlington, with Lawrie Dudfield dropping to the bench in the only change from Saturday's 1-1 draw at Stockport while ex-Notts defender Alan White was named in the Darlington line-up.

Fireworks welcomed the teams onto the pitch as Notts got the game underway on a chill Nottinghamshire evening, with the home side quickly out of the traps and taking the game to the visitors.

However the visitors created the first opening on thirteen minutes with Joachim flicking on to Blundell who in turn released Tommy Wright towards goal but Pilkington was off his line sharply and was able to block the former Barnsley striker's effort with his legs.

Notts' first effort came on nineteen minutes through Stephen Hunt who latched onto Stockdale's poor clearance to advance forwards from full-back and get a shot in from twenty-five yards which Stockdale fumbled and eventually gathered.

A minute later the visitors broke down the right and Wright's right-wing cross picked out an unmarked Blundell in the area but he mishit the ball and hit his shot into the ground to the relive of the Magpies. It was a golden chance to give the visitors the lead; and he spurned it.

He was almost made to pay some five minutes later as Notts mounted a spell of pressure on the Darlington goal. First Ryan Jarvis was denied by Stockdale at the near post after he met Stephen Hunt's fine left-wing cross with a neat near-post header, but the shot-stopper was alert enough to turn the ball around for a corner.

Notts kept the pressure on and after Edwards' header wasn't properly cleared a free-kick was swept into the box by Butcher and onto the head of Jason Lee with a fine downward header, but his effort rebounded off Stockdale's far-post and away to safety. So close for Lee as he sought his first of the season.

Purdie skied a decent opportunity over from inside the box for Darlington just after the half-hour from Joachim's pull-back, but the visitors were unable to test the reactions of the in-form Kevin Pilkington.

There was no doubting that Notts were certainly not concerned with were Darlington were in the table, as the Magpies rolled up their sleeves and put in a lively attacking display from the first whistle. There was no patient waiting, Notts were getting the ball and taking the game to Darlington, and making sure it was they, and not the Quakers, asking the questions.

Three minutes before the interval the visitors did however come so close to taking the lead, but Hodge's speculative twenty-five yard left-foot drive from the right-hand side dipped furiously and cannoned back off the bar and behind for a goal kick. The ball swerved and moved so quickly Pilkington barely had time to move.

The visitors did however break the deadlock in the final minute of the first period as a ball in from the right-hand side by Joachim bounced around in the box and wasn't cleared by the Magpies defence and midfielder Ricky Ravenhall was on hand to drive the ball into the far corner.

It was a sloppy goal to give away and one that had Ian McParland tearing his hair out, with the goal coming in the final seconds of the half. A momentary lapse in concentration cost Notts dear after an impressive performance early on.

Half-Time: Notts County 0-1 Darlington

A half-time change by Ian McParland saw Austin McCann come on for Stephen Hunt at left back, and five minutes into the second half Notts were forced into a second change as Gavin Strachan had to be replaced with a hamstring injury with Myles Weston on in his place.

Purdie wasted a good chance just inside the box minutes later after Blundell did well down the right, while Notts were not enjoying the rub of the green as a Lee header into the path of Jarvis in the area just wouldn't fall kindly for the on-loan striker and Foster was able to get his head on the ball and clear.

The Magpies weren't able to get at the visitors with as much joy as they had enjoyed in the first half as the Quakers tightened up tight to hold onto their lead, with Foster and White at the heart of the defence pushing, shoving, niggling and battling for every ball they could get their bodies onto.

Notts were struggling to break down the defence despite enjoying plenty of possession, but on the break they were almost caught out as Joachim's right-wing cross picked out Wright at the far post but as he was stretching to get on the end of the ball he wasn't able to generate any power and he could only poke the ball straight at Pilkington.

Weir-Daley replaced Gibb on the right-wing in the final fifteen minutes as Ian McParland rolled the last throw of the dice from the bench, and Notts took the gamble of leaving spaces at the back as they gambled on pushing bodies forwards.

Pilkington had to be quick off his line to nick the ball away from Wright twelve minutes from time in the box as Darlington looked to grab a second and put the game to bed.

Try as they might, Notts simply couldn't create a clear-cut opening and the Quakers were able to claim another important three points in their push towards promotion despite five minutes of added time.

With bang out-of-form Chester next up at the weekend, the Magpies will look to take advantage of their poor fortune and set back on another unbeaten run.

Full Time: Notts County 0-1 Darlington

Notts County: Pilkington, Canoville, Hunt (McCann 46), Tann (C), Edwards, Gibb (Weir-Daley 75), Butcher, Strachan (Weston 51), Smith, Lee, Jarvis.
Subs Not Used: Silk, Dudfield.
Booked: None.
Sent Off: None.
Goals: None.

Darlington: Stockdale, Austin, White, Foster (C), Purdie, Joachim, Ravenhill (Wainwright 90), Blundell (Cummins 85), Wright, Valentine, Hodge.
Subs Not Used: Kazimierczak, Miller, Gall.
Booked: Austin.
Sent Off: None.
Goals: Ravenhill (45).

Match Referee: Mr M P Russell

Attendance: 3,421 (305 Darlington Fans)

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