Michael Johnson's goal boosted Notts County's hopes of avoiding the drop as they overcame play-off chasing Rochdale 1-0 at Meadow Lane.A half-cleared corner was played first time by Jay Smith to Wayne Corden, who cut inside two men before supplying Ryan Jarvis. The striker's mis-hit shot fell to Johnson, on loan to his hometown club from Derby, to stab home from close range.

It was no more than the hosts deserved for a determined first-half display with Danny Crow missing a hat trick of chances.

The best of those came from a long Russell Hoult free-kick which was allowed to bounce in the Rochdale area only for Crow to lob wide.

Rochdale's leading scorer Adam Le Fondre fired over from eight yards and winger Chris Basham saw his goal-bound effort cleared off the line by Johnson.

The visitors piled on the pressure in the second half but saw their best chance for an equaliser disappear when Rene Howe shot wide with five minutes left.

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