Match Report: Notts County denied clear penalty in Crewe Alexandra draw

Notts County were denied a clear penalty as they played out a 2-2 draw in Good Friday's League Two fixture at Crewe Alexandra.

The opener came in the ninth minute as the Magpies made the most of a howler in the hosts' defence.

James Jones's misplaced pass on the edge of the box was intercepted by Adam Campbell, who bore forward and slotted past goalkeeper Ben Garratt.

However, a defensive gaffe from Notts was responsible for the Railwaymen drawing level, as Haydn Hollis gave the ball away and George Cooper quickly spotted the run of Chris Dagnall.

The striker raced forward, almost half the length of the pitch, and slipped the ball under advancing keeper Adam Collin.

On 51 minutes Notts were back ahead when Garratt drilled a ball in Callum Cooke’s direction and the ball bounced off the loanee, setting Michael O’Connor behind the defence to bear down on goal and fire into the net.

The lead wasn't to last though as, 66 minutes in, Notts surrendered the ball in midfield, allowing Dagnall the space to have a go, and his deflection rebounded into the path of Jones, whose effort hit Collin and bounced over the line.

There was controversy in injury time when Shola Ameobi got through and looked to have been brought down in the box by Garratt.

As the Notts fans cried out for a penalty, referee Gavin Ward awarded a free kick to Crewe and booked the striker for diving as the game eventually finished all square.

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