The Chronicle

Crewe Alex slipped to a fourth consecutive defeat – and to two points above the League Two drop zone – at Notts County on Saturday.

They lost a lead, provided by an early Shaun Miller strike, for the third game on the spin as they lost 4-1 at a packed Meadow Lane.

Elliott Hewitt bagged a double after Noor Husin had equalised to give the promotion-chasing hosts the points. Mason Bennett added the gloss with the fourth late on.

While they perhaps deserved more than just the one goal, they could have conceded even more in another woeful defensive display.

The Alex have now shipped 11 goals in their last three games.

Crewe went into the game looking to complete a league double over their promotion-chasing hosts, have won 2-0 at Gresty Road in October.

That bucked an alarming trend which had seen the Railwaymen fail to beat the Magpies in a dozen attempts. Indeed, their last win in Nottingham was in March 1997, when Mark Rivers nicked a late clincher.

Neither side has been enjoying sparkling form, with the Alex having lost their previous three and County having been beaten in their previous two home league fixtures.

Both sides had plenty of support, though. Notts chairman Alan Hardy had slashed all ticket prices to just £2 to mark his first year anniversary at the helm, and a sell-out 1,450 away fans were amid a bumper 17,274.

Nottinghamshire Post

Notts County kept their promotion push on track in front of a sellout crowd at Meadow Lane as two goals from Elliott Hewitt helped see off Crewe.

The visitors had taken an early lead through Shaun Miller, but Noor Husin’s 30-yard piledriver put Kevin Nolan’s side back on level terms.

Hewitt then put the Magpies ahead before the break when he converted Jon Stead’s cross and he wrapped up the win with an excellent finish following an excellent move.

It was no more than Notts deserved for a fine display in front of a partisan crowd of more than 17,000 which the Magpies hoped would have them firing out of the blocks.

But instead it was the visitors who took the lead when a three on one counter attack led to Jordan Bowery's low shot being saved by Adam Collin.

But the loose ball crept to Shaun Miller at the back post who had the simplest of finishes from six yards.

It was the third successive home game Notts had fallen behind but they were soon level thanks to one of the goals of the season.

When Husin had picked up possession 30 yards from goal, you assumed he would look for a pass, but instead he opted to shoot and his fizzing drive flew into the top corner.

Meadow Lane went crazy as more than 17,000 fans roared Nolan’s side on to find a second.

And just before half-time they found the breakthrough thanks to some good work by Dan Jones who retained possession to feed Elliott Hewitt.

The midfielder hit a cross to the back post for Stead who fended off his marker to lash back into the penalty area.

It was then met by Hewitt at the back post and while his finish was not the cleanest it was enough to bounce past Garratt.

Notts chased further goals in the second half and they almost had a dream start when Stead’s low cross was met by Alessandra, who was denied by a fantastic challenge by Michael Raynes.

Ameobi was then denied by a fine save from Garratt after being picked out superbly by Alessandra.

But Notts were indebted to Collin for keeping them level when he brilliantly stopped Bowery’s header.

However, Notts finally scored their third with a brilliantly worked goal which started with Stead in midfield.

Alessandra was eventually picked out and he found Stead who touched the ball into the path of Hewitt who lashed in his second of the game.

And it was left to Mason Bennett to wrap up the scoring when the on-loan Derby striker tapped in Alessandra’s cross in the 90th minute.

Notts County Official Website

Notts County beat Crewe Alexandra 4-1 in front of more than 17,000 spectators to return to winning ways in Sky Bet League Two.

With £2 tickets on offer to all, the crowds flocked to Meadow Lane and were treated to a goal of the season contender from Noor Husin, the former Crystal Palace man cancelling out Shaun Miller's early opener.

Notts were comfortable from there on in, Elliott Hewitt scoring before and after the break and debutant Mason Bennett adding gloss to the scoreline late on.