Notts County goalkeeper Stuart Garden produced an outstanding performance against Stoke at Meadow Lane to prevent a seventh successive defeat for his side.

County's run of six league losses was one short of the club record and they were grateful to Garden for sparing them the embarrassment of matching that.

He made three spectacular saves from Siarhei Shtaniuk, Andy Cooke and James O'Connor as Stoke pressed for a winner.

County also had chances in a lively game and Richard Liburd was desperately unlucky to see his shot rebound off both the crossbar and post.

The result was of little use to either side, with Stoke six points off an automatic promotion place and County six points adrift of safety.

Notts County: Garden, Leam Richardson, Warren, Ireland, Baraclough, Cas, Caskey, Bolland, Liburd, Allsopp, Hackworth. Subs: Mildenhall, Ian Richardson, Owers, Stallard, Heffernan.

Stoke: Cutler, Flynn, Shtaniuk, Handyside, Clarke, Gudjonsson, Henry, O'Connor, Vandeurzen, Goodfellow, Cooke. Subs: Viander, Iwelumo, Thordarson, Neal, Wilson.

Referee: P Richards (Preston).