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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
Sport
Leigh Curtis

Notts County book Wembley play-off final date as 'Geordie Messi' seals Barnet win

Notts County are one win away from returning to the Football League at the first attempt after they booked a play-off final date at Wembley with victory over Barnet at Meadow Lane.

Neal Ardley's side produced a wonderful performance to book their first appearance at the National Stadium since 1996 as goals from Kristian Dennis and Callum Roberts secured the win.

The Magpies were in control for large spells in the first half and came close to an opener when Roberts' fierce 25-yard free-kick drew a fine save from ex-Notts keeper Scott Loach.

Kyle Wootton also sent a header just wide of the post from an Alex Lacey cross before Notts finally made the breakthrough when Dennis headed in a superb cross from Jim O'Brien.

Roberts wasted another chance to make it 2-0 as Barnet responded strongly after the break with Sam Slocombe saving brilliantly from Ephron Mason-Clark.

But Roberts, dubbed the 'Geordie Messi' by the fans, lived up to that billing with a superb individual goal to put Notts in dreamland.

Barnet attempted to launch a fight back but they could not find a way through a resolute defence marshalled magnificently by Lacey and Ben Turner.

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