Notts County boosted their League Two promotion hopes with victory over Newport County at Rodney Parade.

The Magpies needed just six minutes to take the lead as Nick Tsaroulla cut in from the right before finding Charlie Whitaker whose left-footed strike flew beyond Nick Townsend – his third goal since joining from Everton in January.

David McGoldrick and Josh Martin were then both off target with efforts, with Notts County forward McGoldrick curling narrowly wide shortly after the restart as Stuart Maynard’s side carried the greater threat.

And the away side sealed victory as Whitaker scored his second of the afternoon from the edge of the box after the hour mark as Notts County cemented their grip on sixth place with seven regular season matches remaining.

The Magpies now have a seven-point gap to Colchester United who are currently eighth.

Newport sit 18th after losing for just a second time in eight home league games.