Notts County’s automatic promotion hopes took another dent as Kelly N’Mai shone in Salford’s 3-1 victory at Meadow Lane.
Stuart Maynard’s side, who were booed at the full-time whistle, missed out on an opportunity to move just one point off League Two’s automatic promotion spots as they suffered a second successive defeat.
A smart move in added time of the first half found its way to N’Mai who used his pace well before finding Cole Stockton, whose strike took a big deflection off Matthew Platt on its way in.
N’Mai turned from provider to scorer in the 53rd minute as Hakeeb Adelakun’s strike was parried by Sam Slocombe to the feet of the attacker to turn home.
David McGoldrick pulled one back for the hosts in the 67th minute, sliding in to turn home Lewis Macari’s header back across goal.
However, Luke Garbutt killed off County’s comeback in the 77th minute as his first-time strike from just inside the area ensured Karl Robinson’s side moved to within four points of the play-off places.