Notts County surged back into the National League play-off positions as Ruben Rodrigues and Eli Sam sealed victory at Woking.
Rodrigues had gone close to giving Ian Burchnall's side the lead when he volleyed wide of the post after being picked out by a raking pass from Kyle Cameron.
But the Portuguese attacker finally broke the deadlock when he rifled in from the edge of the box just before the break.
Notts' potency in the final third was much better in the second half as Kyle Woottonsaw a shot superbly saved by Craig Ross who tipped it around the post for a corner.
Jayden Richardson's cross then flashed across goal after a fine run but nobody was on hand to capitalise.
Minutes later, Ross was required to show his reflexes again when he denied Aaron Nemane after he had burst into the area following a powerful run.
But the Woking goalkeeper's resistance was finally broken when Sam produced an emphatic finish after Nemane had teed him up perfectly
Getting the job done
It wasn't a vintage Notts performance by any stretch of the imagination and so often this season they have been lauded for being one of the most attractive sides to watch in the National League.
We have become so accustomed to their intensity, flair and quality that their opening 45 minutes here came as a major surprise in what was a dull first half.
It wasn't until a terrific finish from Ruben Rodrigues broke the deadlock before the break that fans inside the Laithwaite Community Stadium got value for their ticket price.
But that goal before half-time allowed Notts to regroup knowing Woking would have to show more adventure after the interval.
Indeed the performance in the second half was in stark contrast to the first and even then you still felt they could still had a couple of gears to go through.
In the end, they won the game at a canter although the fans in attendance won't file this one under memorable when it comes to the end of season review.
But at this stage of the campaign, and with the promotion race intensifying, it really doesn't matter how you win, just as long as you do.
Burchnall's side did that and who knows how vital these three points could be in Notts' bid to return to the Football League.
Nemane man
With Callum Roberts, Ruben Rodrigues and Kyle Wootton being Notts' axis of excellence, it's been very hard for any player to dislodge them given their form this season.
But injury often presents opportunities and after Roberts was ruled out after picking up a knock against Halifax, Nemane was presented with a rare start.
The former Manchester City winger has had to remain patient for his chance having made 14 appearances so far, but he offered a timely reminder of his quality here.
In what was a performance rubber-stamped with excellence, he registered two assists for Rodrigues and Sam whose goals sealed an important victory.
It would have been very easy for Nemane to sulk at the lack of first-team chances but he has kept his head down just in case he was needed.
That is a credit to his professionalism because we have seen so many times in the past how players are quite happy to turn it in when they're not involved on a regular basis.
And as a result of that, his performance here has merely reinforced to Burchnall that he can bring an added edge in what is turning out to be a fascinating campaign.
It was a message to his manager that told him he is more than ready to be a part of the club's bid to return to the Football League.
Defensive masterclass
Earlier on in the season, Notts surrendered a one-goal lead against Woking to lose 4-1 in what was one of the shock results of the season given how good they've been at home.
But there was no repeat of the calamitous final 20 minutes that handed the Cards an unexpected victory.
Kyle Cameron and Richard Brindley were both excellent in the heart of the back four against former Magpies striker Inih Effiong who never got a sniff.
Full-backs Jayden Richardson and Adam Chicksen locked down the flanks and the quartet always appeared to be in sync.
The result of such accomplished organisation and communication meant Woking never registered a shot on target throughout the 90 minutes.
While Notts were receiving plaudits for their ruthlessness at one end of the pitch, nobody should underestimate just how well the back four played.
Callum concern
Callum Roberts has unquestionably hit a rich vein of form at exactly the right time of the season so his absence from the starting 11 did provide a touch of concern.
With the Chesterfield game looming on Tuesday night, Notts will want all of their big guns available for what is one of the biggest games of the season.
Burchnall could not offer any guarantees surrounding his availability for Tuesday's much-anticipated showdown but then again why would he?
He wouldn't be the first manager to keep the opposition guessing before such an important fixture especially when it concerns one of your key players.
But Notts fans will be hoping Roberts, who was the subject of a bid by Chesterfield in January, will be wearing the club's black and white on Tuesday.
He's been so good of late that, against one of the strongest teams in the division, it would represent a significant blow if he is not on the substitutes' bench at least.
