Notts County tightened their stranglehold on the League Two title with a 1-0 win over second-placed Rochdale.

Hughes the hero as Magpies march on

Table-topping Notts County tightened their stranglehold on the League Two title with a Lee Hughes lob enough to beat second-placed Rochdale 1-0. Both sides gained automatic promotion on Saturday, but it was the Magpies who underlined their title credentials with a seventh straight victory to move four points clear at the summit. Dale looked menacing early on through Chris O'Grady and Chris Dagnall, but it was County who made the breakthrough against the run of play. Neal Bishop threaded in Hughes on 30 minutes and his early chip deceived goalkeeper Frank Fielding for his 31st goal of the season. The hosts came close to doubling their advantage when Ben Davies fired inches wide, a thunderous Bishop drive hit the crossbar and Delroy Facey and Hughes both saw attempts palmed around the post. Rochdale came closest to restoring parity when substitute Andy Howarth rattled the bar from 25 yards, but despite a late flourish, County held on to stretch their unbeaten run to 16 games in front of their biggest attendance in two years.