Notts C 2-1 Huddersfield

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Notts County made sure of Division Two survival with a brilliant performance to edge out promotion-chasing Huddersfield at Meadow Lane.

Huddersfield had already secured a play-off spot with victory over Port Vale last weekend but the home side were still looking over their shoulders in the conclusion to a thrilling relegation battle.

However, County's drastic improvement under Bill Dearden was evident again from the kick-off and the Magpies were ahead after 14 minutes.

Defender Richard Liburd found himself in space and he delivered a perfect ball into the box which Danny Allsopp dispatched with a clinical header for his 29th goal of the season.

Lifeline

Midfielder Kenny Irons responded immediately with a long-range effort which was well held by goalkeeper Stuart Garden, and Delroy Facey also went close for the Terriers but his shot drifted just wide.

Dearden's men almost caught the visitors out again shortly after the interval as Nick Fenton saw his volley from six yards beaten away by keeper Martyn Margetson.

On the hour mark, though, County grabbed a crucial second goal.

Kevin Nicholson was left unmarked on the edge of the box and he made no mistake with a low shot which squeezed past Margetson and into the net.

Huddersfield were thrown a lifeline with seven minutes left when Irons crashed home a penalty following Paul Bolland's challenge on Facey.

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Notts County: Garden, Leam Richardson, Fenton, Ireland, Nicholson, Cas, Caskey, Whitley, Liburd, Allsopp, Heffernan. Subs: Mildenhall, Ian Richardson, Owers, Stallard, Bolland.

Huddersfield: Margetson, Ifil, Gray, Moses, Gareth Evans, Holland, Mattis, Irons, Delaney, Booth, Facey. Subs: Paul Evans, Hay, Dyson, Beech, Macari.

Referee: H Webb (Rotherham).