NOTTS County have the defence to win promotion, said captain John Thompson after last night's 1-0 win against Chesterfield at Meadow Lane.

The Magpies kept their fourth clean-sheet in a row against the Spireites – and their 16th in 32 games in League Two this season.

Thompson said: "Not many teams keep four clean-sheets in a row in this league.

"If we can keep more we'll be in a great position at the end of the season.

"It's like scoring a goal for us defenders. We've kept 16 now this season, which is promotion material."

Thompson was delighted with the victory that lifted Notts into fourth place in the table.

"It's a huge win for us. All of the wins lately have been great but that was always the game we were all looking forward to," he added.

"We owed them after they beat us earlier in the season.

"The performance the lads put in was awesome at times. Everybody was battling for the cause.

"I don't think we passed the ball as well as we sometimes do but I don't think this game was about that.

"It was about getting in there and battling with a team that is one of our rivals for promotion.

"We knew we had to match them and I thought we did that, and had a bit more than them.

"It could have been more than 1-0."

Thompson was denied by the woodwork in the second half.

He said: "I thought it was in. It was a great ball by Westy (Craig Westcarr) and I cut in on my left foot and hit it.

"I enjoy that side of playing right-back, getting forward.

"It's not my usual job and I don't think people expect me to get up there.

"It's a pity it didn't go in but the result is the most important thing and three points is brilliant."