Martin, a 19-year-old summer signing from Derby, was just 10 minutes into his first home appearance when he glanced in a header from Lewis McMahon's free-kick.

David Pipe twice went close to stretching the lead but Barnet, without an away win since August, had more of the possession either side of half-time.

County were fortunate not to surrender their lead when goalkeeper Kevin Pilkington rushed from his area and collided with Liam Hatch.

Hatch's header was cleared off the line by County skipper Julien Baudet but Barnet protested they should have had a free kick - and Pilkington should have been sent off.

For all their good approach play, Barnet seldom troubled Pilkington in the second period and the closest they came to an equaliser was a deflected free-kick from Paolo Vernazza.

Martin could have made it even more of a memorable day in the closing minutes but shot wide from eight yards.

IS DAN THE MAN TO FILL DEFENCE GAP?

16:00 - 03 January 2006

Dan Martin hopes to cement himself a place in the Notts County defence after his winning goal on his home debut. The young defender scored after ten minutes against Barnet yesterday in his first start at Meadow Lane. And he followed it up with a man-of-the-match display as one of three centre halves. Now he aims to stay in the team. He said: "It is a brilliant feeling and I could not have asked for a better start on my home debut. "I have been dreaming about something like that and it came true. "I had all my family and friends there. So to score my first goal in front of them and all the Notts fans meant a lot to me. My dad, sister, granddad and girlfriend were there. "I want to keep on playing like that, scoring some goals and keeping clean sheets." It was Martin's sixth start and ninth appearance in a Notts shirt but his first at home. And despite a slow start to his Notts career after joining from Derby in the summer, he hopes to become a permanent fixture in the side. He said: "I thought I did all right in pre-season but the gaffer went with Rob (Ullathorne) and he has been doing well. So I have kept working hard and got my chance now. "The goal gave me a lot of confidence. I should have scored a couple more after that and the lads were taking the mickey in the changing room afterwards and the gaffer. Now I want to keep my place in the team. I prefer playing on the left of the three centre halves and hopefully I can continue that."   MARTIN SHINES IN VITAL WIN FOR MAGPIES 12:00 - 03 January 2006 As the Notts County players left the pitch, Gudjon Thordarson stayed on the touchline to ensure he shook every player by the hand. It was hardly the best display, but Notts withstood a barrage of second half pressure to get a vital three points after two defeats during the festive period. And the Magpies manager, instead of heading straight down the tunnel, made sure he thanked each player for keeping the club in touch with the play-offs. Two points now separate the Magpies from seventh place. On the evidence of this performance, it could be argued that Notts are not good enough to reach the play-offs. But Thordarson can now look to strengthen during the January transfer window. The victory gives him some clout to force the hand of the board. Thordarson is set to meet up to four new players today and tomorrow. And he feels the team can make a real push for the play-offs if he is allowed to bring in some experienced players on loan or permanent deals until the end of the season. Notts defended well yesterday and rode their luck to come away with all three points. But the performance of young defender Dan Martin, on his first start at Meadow Lane, stood out. He scored what proved to be the winner on ten minutes and, as his confidence grew, he proved to be solid at the back. It gives Thordarson another option after two competent displays in the last two matches and means he can concentrate his attention on strikers and midfielders in the transfer window. Notts were excellent in the opening 15 minutes. Martin and Jake Sheridan had both fired wide before Notts took the lead through Martin. Lewis McMahon floated a free kick in from the left of the box and Martin met it at the front post with a backward header which went into the far corner. The defender then fired a ball into the six-yard box and Andy White almost got in to score but the ball was well cleared by Nick Bailey. Julien Baudet should have scored from a corner but he sliced his attempted shot. It was then Barnet's turn to pressure Notts. Liam Hatch met a long cross but, with Kevin Pilkington off his line, he put his header just wide. Before the interval Pilkington came rushing out to punch but Hatch beat him to it to head over the goalkeeper. However, Baudet got back to clear off the line. With Hatch injured after clashing with Pilkington, Barnet rightly felt they should have been awarded a penalty and that Pilkington was lucky to escape without a red card. But in the second half Notts sat deep and allowed Barnet to come at them. Only some solid defending by the likes of Martin and Baudet kept the visitors out. First Pilkington was forced to tip over Damian Batt's long-range effort. And then Notts had a lucky escape when Chris Palmer accidentally handled just inches outside his own box. The referee could easily have awarded a penalty instead of a free kick. Six minutes from the end, McMahon drilled in a free kick and Martin got on the end but this time fired wide. And shortly before the final whistle Notts should have wrapped it up. Steve Scoffham floated in a great cross for Andy White but he failed to take it in his stride and instead killed it dead, allowing Barnet to clear. Notts held on for a much-needed win and a second consecutive home victory. It was not pretty but it was a vital three points - and now Thordarson can try to bring in some new players. The season has reached the halfway point and Notts are still in touching distance of the play-offs, even though their performances are still not convincing. But Notts will hope to pick up another three points on Saturday at home against Darlington. And by then there may be some new faces being congratulated by Thordarson as they leave the Meadow Lane pitch.