NOTTINGHAM centre Tim Streather says the growing attention on the Green and Whites has inspired the team to second in the Championship table as the race for the play-offs heats up.

OUT IN FORCE: Crowd numbers continue to rise at Meadow Lane. PIC: Alison Bowden.

In front of the Sky Sports cameras, being broadcast live to millions across the world, Nottingham jumped clear into second place in England's second tier competition with an enthralling 25-17 win over the third placed Bedford.

The biggest crowd of the season turned out for the game with 2,136 at Meadow Lane Stadium and a full house in match day hospitality was also the biggest of the current campaign.

It comes as another spike in a season that has already seen a 27 per cent increase in attendances.

Streather says the anticipation and response to the clash helped fire the Green and Whites up.

"With all eyes on us with the television game, this was one match in which wanted to make a marker," Streather said.

"A lot more people will be taking notice as we keep winning. This match and the five point haul we achieved at Rotherham to go second, were pretty big results for us."

And it is not just Streather that thinks like this... it's a view shared by his teammates, the coaching staff and club bosses at Meadow Lane. 

The race for the top four play-off positions has started in earnest, with three from Nottingham, Bedford, Bristol, Leeds and The Cornish Pirates expected to join Newcastle in the top four at the end of the regular season.

Social media was flooded with praise for the side and quality of the dramatic display that saw Bedford rally late after Nottingham opened an 18-0 half-time lead.

Some of the post-match reaction on Twitter:

@theeggchaser "Of all the rugby stories at the moment, the re-emergence of @NottinghamRugby gives me the most pleasure.#rugby #sleeper"

@markyp64 "@NottinghamRugby good win Nottm good advert for championship rugby well done"

@Scrimmers78 "Great win for @nottinghamrugby. Really impressive 1st half, v entertaining 2nd & so close to bonus point! See Bedford again in play-offs"

@JamesBloor "Best I've seen them play for years! RT @nottinghamrugby: Victory and second in the league Nottingham 25-17"

@CharlieSlater15 "Great to see @NottinghamRugby on the tv today, a great win as well. Exciting couple of months ahead at Meadow Lane #rugby"

@BrendaSusan1 "Ask anyone, I don't do sports, but I thoroughly enjoyed the @NottinghamRugby this afternoon"