Top flight* League fixture
*Then known as Division One

Notts County 1     Manchester United 0
Christie 79
 

Attendance :- 13,911
Referee:-  R. Lewis (Great Bookham)
 

Notts County
Colours:- White shirts with black dual pinstripes, Black shorts, White socks
League Position:- before match 21st/22, after match 21st/22
Manager:- Larry Lloyd

1.   Mick Leonard
2.   Simeon Hodson
3.   David Clarke
4.   Pedro Richards
5.   Ken Armstrong
6.   David Hunt
7.   Martin O'Neill
8.   Iain McCulloch *
9.   Trevor Christie
10. Gordon Mair
11. Ian McParland

Sub: Rachid Harkouk *71

Manchester United
Colours:- Red shirts, White shorts, Black socks
League Position:- before match 2nd/22, after match 2nd/22
Manager:- Ron Atkinson

1.   Gary Bailey
2.   Mike Duxbury
3.   Arthur Albiston
4.   Ray Wilkins
5.   Kevin Moran
6.   Graeme Hogg
7.   Remi Moses
8.   Paul McGrath
9.   Frank Stapleton
10. Norman Whiteside
11. Alan Davies *

Sub: Mark Hughes *83

Video of the match:- Central TV sent a camera along to capture footage for a 58 second report transmitted on that night's 9pm national ITV news bulletin. The report (voiced over by Tony Francis) shows; Paul McGrath (Man United) shot at goal, Notts attack McGrath defending, McGrath shot from free kick, Collision between Iain McCulloch (Notts Co) and Gary Bailey (Man United), McCulloch carried off, Goal by Trevor Christie (Notts Co).

Evening Post recalled the match in 2009.....
The Red Devils arrived at Meadow Lane challenging for the First Division title while Notts were battling relegation from the top-flight. But Larry Lloyd's side denied Ron Atkinson's men top spot in the table and strengthened their own survival hopes with a priceless three points – with Trevor Christie memorably scoring the match-winner on 79 minutes. United were without a number of key players but still boasted the likes of keeper Gary Bailey, Ray Wilkins, Paul McGrath, Frank Stapleton and Norman Whiteside. Notts too, were upset by the absence of injured John Chiedozie and, to make matters worse, Iain McCulloch was stretchered off midway through the second half, following a collision with Bailey. The dynamic Scot was in fine form before his exit, linking well with Ian McParland down the right. The visitors looked to Wilkins for inspiration in the absence of Bryan Robson and he was at the heart of their efforts with some thoughtful passing and running off the ball. But United never looked like breaking the Magpies' defence down, with Pedro Richards and Ken Armstrong immaculate at the centre of the back-four. When McGrath did find a way through, keeper Mick Leonard was in confident form and made a superb save to deny the midfielder when he struck a fierce volley in the early stages. In contrast, Bailey endured an unhappy afternoon, fumbling several crosses and corners. McParland was involved in the build-up to Christie's decisive strike. He somehow wriggled free on the right touchline and got a low cross into the penalty area. Substitute Rachid Harkouk and David Hunt both made darts to the near post but both missed the ball. With Bailey rooted to his line, the ball rolled to Christie, who had the simplest of finishes for his 21st goal of the season.

Up the Maggies footnote:
The infamous match in which Iain McCulloch was stretchered off with a broken leg after a collision outside the box with United's goalkeeper Gary Bailey. McCulloch would never play again. It soured a great victory against 2nd placed Man.U and County had now gone 7 league matches without defeat (winning 4). Notts were still 5 points from safety but had a game in hand and a better goal difference than 4th bottom Stoke. This fixture was originally scheduled for Monday 23rd April but was brought forward because County's home game with Southampton was postponed (due to the Saints involvement in the FA Cup Semi-final), Manchester United agreed to the move as they too were unable to play their original scheduled opponents for the same reason.

Notts County Season 1983/84
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