Matthew Dennis’ late strike secured 10-man Notts County a 1-0 win that condemned lowly Bristol Rovers to a joint-club-record eighth successive league defeat.
Tyrese Hall was sent off for County after 35 minutes following a reckless challenge on defender Macauley Southam-Hales deep in Rovers territory.
Darrell Clarke’s Rovers side were clearly out to avoid an unwanted place in the club record books and went close to taking the lead before Hall’s dismissal but Joel Cotterill and Jack Sparkes both saw shots strike Kelle Roos’ post.
Rovers dominated after Hall went off as County sat back and Cotterill dragged a good chance wide before Roos denied striker Ellis Harrison with a good save. Substitute Frederick Issaka saw a shot hit the crossbar.
When Martin Paterson’s promotion-chasing visitors finally got out of their own half on a counter-attack, Dennis made the excursion into opposition territory count as his shot on 87 minutes took a deflection that gave Gas goalkeeper Luke Southwood no chance.
