What a superb win, and what a superb way to get it. Notts County's form has been shaky of late, with three consecutive defeats making Magpie fans more than a little nervous, but the response today was a 2-1 win against Crewe Alexandra, courtesy of a stunning finish at the death from newcomer Billy Daniels.

The Alex were first to threaten when Jamie Ness won a free-kick four minutes in, with Alan Tate getting to the ball first and sending a header just wide of goal.

On nine minutes, Ness sent Nicky Ajose through on goal, but the striker’s touch was heavy and keeper Roy Carroll was able to come out and save.

Two minutes later a James Jones pass got Uche Ikpeazu in behind. He was beaten to the ball by Carroll, but the loose sphere fell to Ajose, who missed the target.

Notts then started to respond, and on 16 minutes Kwame Thomas nodded over after getting above Jon Guthrie to meet a cross from the left flank, and minutes later, Haydn Hollis headed wide from a set-piece.

It looked as though the first half would end all square, but Ikpeazu then conceded a free-kick in stoppage time and the ball was delivered into the Alex box, where Thomas was sent down by Guthrie’s swinging leg.

The referee pointed to the spot and Liam Noble planted the dead ball into the bottom corner despite goalkeeper Garratt getting the faintest of touches.

Less than two minutes after the restart, the Notts defence was found wanting as Ness charged forward and drove low past Carroll from 20 yards out to level proceedings.

Both sides gave it their all throughout the second half, but luckily the Magpies would go on to secure all three points in spectacular fashion.

A cross from the left wing was beautifully met on the volley by substitute Daniels, the ball soaring into the top corner from 15 yards, much to the unadulterated joy of the home faithful.

Crewe never really threatened to get back into it and despite Noble being sent off for a second yellow in injury time, the hosts held on.

A rampant Bristol City performance left Notts County in tatters and sent out a message to the whole of League One that Steve Cotterill's side has what it takes to get themselves into the Championship next season.

The Robins dispatched the Magpies 4-0 to soar back to the top of the third tier, thanks to goals by Joe Bryan, Matt Smith, Jay Emanuel-Thomas and Derrick Williams.

Eight minutes is all it took for City to open the scoring, as a sizzling run from Emmanuel-Thomas carved open the visitors’ defence and led to a cross that was bundled in by Bryan.

When Notts talisman Mike Edwards was forced off with an injury in the 11th minute, you just know the tone would be set for the afternoon.

Notts were under the cosh for much of the half and required Roy Carroll to pull off a great save from Korey Smith, before substitute Taylor McKenzie cleared off the line.

And indeed, the hosts doubled their lead just before the break when Luke Freeman’s cross was tapped in by Matt Smith. The ball appeared to have gone out of play in the build-up, but the referee let the goal stand.

Notts showed more intent at the start of the second half, with some penetrating play causing some concern to City, even though Emmanuel-Thomas continued to show glimpses of magic at the other end.

Just after the hour, the visitors were undone again when the 24-year-old former Arsenal academy man surged forward and slotted a low ball past Carroll.

By this point it was game over, and City were enjoying themselves, even though Notts continued to push forward and saw Robins goalkeeper Frankie Fielding require to pull off a save from Garry Thompson.

However, the fourth goal duly came when Bryan cut the ball back from the touchline for Williams to drive a low shot into the far corner past Carroll.

The result means that Notts slip to 12th after a run of three successive losses.

Notts County are currently in ninth place, and just two points behind sixth-placed Sheffield United, but today's 1-0 defeat away at Bradford still proved a bitter pill to swallow, in that it was yet another negative result, the end of our unbeaten away run, and the realisation that we still need to put in a fair bit of work - and possibly invest in a few more players - if we are to actually put up a fight against the division's top sides.

The game began with the hosts on the front foot as they piled on the pressure against Notts, with Billy Knott and Andy Halliday missing two early chances for Bradford.

Soon enough, the visitors began mustering several efforts of their own, as Gary Jones’s free kick went out for a corner and Jake Cassidy struck the post with Jordan Pickford beaten.

Ryan Hall then came close when he latched onto a Thompson pass to fire a volley over the bar, but not long before half time, it was the home side that took the lead.

It was a soft goal to concede as well, as Roy Carroll got caught out when Hayden Mullins slipped with a Thompson pass going back towards goal, which allowed Halliday to retrieve possession and thread the ball through to Knott, who fired into the net with the help of a deflection.

Following the restart, the game found itself bogged down in midfield, with chances at a premium, and the longer the match went on, the more desperate Notts became.

Bradford nearly exploited this when Knott picked out an unmarked James Hanson inside the box, but Carroll was able to pull off a great save to tip the ball round the post.

In the last ten minutes, the Magpies huffed and puffed, but lacked penetration in the final third, which allowed the Bantams to see out the game and secure all three points.

Notts County gave the Milton Keynes Dons a tough game on Boxing Day afternoon at Meadow Lane, but it was always going to be a big ask against the second-placed side in League One as the visitors secured a 1-0 win.

Daniel Powell’s first half goal was enough to seal all three points against Shaun Derry’s side, who had their moments but ultimately lacked a cutting edge in the final third.

Notts began brightly, playing a fast-paced pressing game that forced the Dons into several nervy mistakes early on.

In the first few minutes, Stephen McLaughlin released Blair Adams down the flank, but the full-back’s subsequent cross into the box was miskicked and flew straight at goalkeeper David Martin, who punched the ball away to safety.

The Dons struck back though, as a counterattack allowed Benik Afobe to set up Dean Bowditch on the edge of the box, but the ensuing shot was caught by Roy Carroll.

Anthony McKay then came close to giving his side the lead when he blasted a header over the bar from close range following Dean Lewington’s free kick.

Just after the half-hour mark, MK were able to break the deadlock when Afobe weaved his way into the box, and even though his footwork let him down, Powell pounced to poke a low shot beyond Carroll and into the net for his fifth goal of the campaign.

Notts attempted to engineer a comeback and almost got themselves an equaliser when Adams’s low shot forced a smart save from Martin, but the visitors went on to threaten through Bowditch, whose long-range effort was turned over by Carroll.

In the second half, a great pass from Colby Bishop allowed Ronan Murray a one-on-one opportunity against Martin, but the Irishman sent his shot straight at the goalkeeper.

Notts continued to threaten as Stephen McLaughlin forced a good stop from Martin, while substitute Jake Cassidy bore down on goal but sent a shot over.

Young prodigy Dele Alli had a great chance to extend his side’s lead in the latter stages of the game, but his effort from 20 yards out cannoned off the post.

Right at the death, Thompson was felled by Kyle McFazdean in the area, but the referee waved away the subsequent appeals as the Dons held on for all three points to remain second in League One.

Notts, meanwhile, are in eighth place.

Well, today started off well, but then appeared to go completely wrong, only for proceedings to be salvaged right at the death.

Garry Thompson's last gasp goal in the clash away at Rochdale gave Notts a 2-2 draw at Spotland, maintaining the Magpies' unbeaten away record in the process.

Neither side truly got going in the early stages of the game, with little more than tentative probes and half-chances being fired.

Shaun Derry's charges drew first blood just before the break when Elliott Whitehouse sent a cross the way of veteran Mike Edwards, who duly fired home and gave the visitors a 1-0 half-time lead.

But following the restart, Rochdale levelled the score as Ian Henderson converted with a smart finish.

Matt Done then struck the post as the hosts searched for a second goal, with Notts in danger of buckling under the pressure.

Dale's second was eventually scored in the 64th minute when Peter Vincenti headed in from close range from a pinpoint Done cross.

Notts tried desperately to push forward and find a goal as the second half wore on in a bid to protect their unbeaten away record and earn a point, but it seemed like it was to no avail.

Just as the game was about to draw to a close, a climactic equaliser finally came right at the death when Thompson slotted home from close range after goalkeeper Conrad Logan was down following a Murray challenge.

Keith Hill's side vehemently protested the goal, but referee Scott Mathieson waved the complaints away and allowed the goal to stand.

Well, so much for Wembley eh? Sadly, just as it seemed that the dream was coming close, it has been snuffed, as Preston North End secured a 1-0 win Notts County at Meadow Lane to the reach the Northern final of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

Simon Grayson's side took the lead on 20 minutes when Paul Huntington tapped in from close range following a scramble in the County box.

Roy Carroll was not happy, appearing to claim he was fouled in the build-up, but the goal stood.

Notts had chances to pull it back as Blair Adams charged down the left and teed up Michael Petrasso on the half-hour mark, but the on-loan winger saw his effort fly narrowly wide.

Preston could have doubled their lead when Jermaine Beckford found himself through on goal 10 minutes after the restart, but with just Carroll to beat the striker failed to make the most of the chance, and the Magpies cleared the danger.

Shaun Derry's side then had their best chance to get back into the game when Garry Thompson's flick on from a long ball sent Stephen McLaughlin clear of the Preston back line. However, he could only send his effort high and wide of Thorsten Stuckmann's goal.

Preston will now face Walsall in the northern final in the new year, while Notts are left to rue what might have been and give it their all in the league.

Ai ai ai. Not a good day at the office by any means tonight. Swindon Town were just too rampant for Notts today, as the Robins secured a thumping 3-0 win at Meadow Lane.

To make things worse, Liam Noble was also sent off for the Magpies, who were simply outplayed by the visitors on a frosty day in Nottingham. You can see why they're in with a shout of automatic promotion.

Shaun Derry's charges made the worst possible start when they conceded after just six minutes, Massimo Luongo releasing Andy Williams who beat Louis Laing to slip a shot beyond Roy Carroll and into the far corner.

The Magpies kept possession well during those opening stages and had a few tentative half-chances, but Swindon were razor-sharp in the final third, Luongo very nearly striking again after being given plenty of space 17 minutes in.

Jonathan Obika then had a shot cleared off the line midway through the first half before getting the ball into the back of the net, but seeing the goal ruled out for offside.

Towards the end of the first half, Ben Gladwin curled an effort wide, but Haydn Hollis also came close with a header in added time to give the hosts hope of mounting a comeback after the break.

This wouldn't happen - Williams struck his second of the afternoon in the 54th minute when he converted a pinpoint cross from Gladwin at the far post to leave Notts with a mountain to climb.

And just two minutes later, Noble's challenge on Nathan Smith saw the Notts man get his marching orders and all but kill off any hope of claiming something from the game.

Ultimately, the Robins would strike a third when the lively Luongo tapped the ball in following Gladwin's pull-back.

Notts County have made it through to the semi-finals of the Johnston's Paint Trophy after a narrow 1-0 win against Doncaster Rovers at the Keepmoat Stadium this evening.

Liam Noble was the matchwinner for the visitors, powering through the home side's defence lines before drilling a low shot beyond goalkeeper Sam Johnstone late on in the game.

Conditions were far from ideal at the Keepmoat Stadium, with strong winds not helping proceedings.

The game proved uneventful in the opening stages as the action was concentrated in midfield, although Harry Forrester managed to cut in from the left before being denied by Roy Carroll early on.

Notts responded through Jake Cassidy, who picked up a cross from Mustapha Dumbuya before volleying well wide of the target at the near post.

By the half-hour mark, only efforts from Kyle Bennett and Curtis Main came close to breaking the deadlock.

Just before half-time, Bennett again came close to putting Doncaster into the lead when he curled a free kick inches wide of the post with Carroll beaten.

The start of the second half proved to be almost as quiet as the first, but Doncaster thought they had taken the lead on 68 minutes after Bennett's shot found the back of the net.

However, after speaking to his assistant, the referee disallowed the strike as it appeared that Bennett's shot had deflected off Main, who was in an offside position.

It proved a decisive moment for Notts as, six minutes later, Noble marauded down the field before driving the ball into the bottom corner from 20 yards.

Substitute Garry Thompson nearly bagged a second for County but saw Sam Johnstone save well to keep his side in contention with 10 minutes left.

Bennett had a late effort kept out by Carroll but that was as good as it got for the hosts as Notts held on to book their place in the Northern Area semi-finals.

After what appeared like Notts were in danger of slipping off the radar, they appear to be getting back on track following a credible 1-1 draw away at Sheffield United on Friday.

Following a cagey opening at Bramall Lane, Shaun Derry's charges began tentatively probing forward.

Early on, Petrasso beat Jay McEveley on the edge of the area before seeing his shot saved by Blades goalkeeper Mark Howard.

Gary Jones, allowed to play in this game after his Yeovil red card was rescinded, also threatened with a powerful run from midfield before forcing another save from Howard.

Just after the half-hour mark, the Magpies took the lead when comeback kid Mike Edwards converted Jones's corner into the far corner with a volley.

United struggled to pull themselves together following their concession, and save for a Jose Baxter effort on the rebound from a free kick, they offered little and were booed off at half time.

The hosts were better after the second half got underway, with ex-Notts winger Jamal Campbell-Ryce and Chris Basham threatening.

In the 70th minute, the visitors had a great chance to score a second goal, but the unmarked Stephen McLaughlin hesitated for too long and was dispossessed.

It was a huge chance to put kill the game off, and Notts would rue their miss as, moments later, when Bob Harris crossed for Jamie Murphy to head in the equaliser.

United were the better side in the latter stages of the game, but Notts were able to hang onto the draw and a decent point against one of the division's heavyweights.

I will have to keep my language clean, because kids may read this match report. But today's game at home to Yeovil Town was nothing short of a travesty. The referee was completely sub-par and cost us the game.

The visitors, who were constantly play-acting and digging at Notts with fouls, rarely got punished, while Gary Jones gets sent off for a seemingly legitimate tackle.

And despite the hosts taking the lead, Yeovil were able to capitalise on the man advantage and net two late on.

Little of note happened in the early stages of the game, except for Michael Petrasso getting constantly harangued by the men from Somerset - with no repercussions for them.

Just before the half-hour mark, however, the Magpies were scandalously reduced to ten men when Gary Jones was dismissed for a challenge on defender Nathan Smith despite clearly winning the ball.

Liam Noble was also booked and assistant manager Greg Abbott was sent to the stands for protesting too strongly in the incident, rightfully aggrieved at this miscarriage of justice.

Roy Carroll saved well from Ajay Leitch-Smith late on in the first half, while Nathan Smith found himself on the floor one too often.

Ultimately, the first period ended goalless, with Notts having it all to do in the second half.

After the restart, Notts held their colour, Petrasso pushing forward and forcing a good save from Glovers goalie Jed Steer.

The Canadian winger then put the Magpies in front when he rounded Steer to slip the ball into an empty net after making the most of a woeful backpass from Stephen Arthurworrey.

Yeovil forced their way back into the game in the last 15 minutes, with Jordan Clarke snatching an equaliser with a deft near-post header six minutes before time.

If that wasn't bad enough, it got a lot worse when, in the 88th minute, the 23-year-old defender stormed in again and nodded home the winner to leave Meadow Lane with a bitter taste in its mouth.

Oh dear. After being on such a high for the majority of the season so far, the FA Cup has sent us right back down to earth. Accrington Stanley... who are they? Well, they're the League Two team that knocked us out of the competition at the first hurdle (well, the second attempt at the first hurdle).

After the goalless draw at Meadow Lane, it was going to be a somewhat tricky proposition travelling up to the Crown Ground on a cold Tuesday night, but there was always the feeling that County's superior class would shine through. Not so.

Granted, Shaun Derry's charges had a fairly good start when Michael Petrasso had a chance early on, which cleared the bar, and it wasn't long before Notts took the lead.

Garry Thompson did well to thread the ball to the feet of Ronan Murray while under pressure in the box, and the Irishman struck a good finish across goalkeeper Jack Rose.

Soon enough, the hosts countered through Andrew Proctor, who powered into the box but was put off by Taylor McKenzie, ensuring that the shot would bobble wide of the post.

Rob Atkinson and Shay McCartan added to the pressure when they also threatened Roy Carroll's goal, but on the flipside, Notts were denied a penalty when Thompson was caught by Rose, with the referee giving just a corner.

Just as it seemed like the Magpies were going to take a lead into the break, Luke Joyce crept into the box and powered a free header into the goal to give his side the equaliser.

And just four minutes after the restart, Stanley were in the lead when Marcus Carver floated a ball above Carroll and into the net from the edge of the area.

Substitute Jake Cassidy came close to pulling Notts back when his shot cannonned off the the bar, but despite the visitors trying to desperately claw a goal back, it wasn't to be, and as the referee's whistle signalled the end of the game, the Magpies were out of the FA Cup.

Today's game between Notts County and Coventry City is bound to go down in Magpie history. Not so much for the result, a solid 1-0 win to the visitors achieved thanks to a Garry Thompson goal in the second half, but for the actions of one of the team members.

Roy Carroll played for Northern Ireland in a Euro 2016 qualifier against Romania in Bucharest, keeping the score down as his nation was defeated 2-0 and getting the Man of the Match award.

Nobody would have expected Carroll to turn out for Notts today, given that he would have had to catch a flight from Romania back to the UK and make his way to Coventry in the space of about 15 hours.

However, this is just what he did - according to BBC Radio Nottingham's Colin Slater, Carroll caught a flight from the Romanian capital to London Heathrow airport at 7am local time (Romania's two hours ahead).

The veteran stopper is then said to have collected his car and driven up the motorway to the Ricoh Arena in Coventry, before reporting to Magpies manager Shaun Derry and declaring that he was fit to play.

The Sky Blues surely would have been shocked at the team announcement, which shows commitment and determination of the absolute highest level - not to mention the boost it would have handed Notts and the travelling fans.

That said, the first effort of the game fell to the home side, Adam Barton slicing a low shot wide in the second minute.

The game proved scrappy in the opening stages, but come the quarter-hour mark, the action started coming, with Haydn Hollis forcing a good block and Stephen McLaughlin seeing his deflected shot saved.

The best chance of the first half fell to Notts when Mike Edwards’s header was cleared off the line by Aaron Phillips in the 29th minute.

Carroll was feared injured when Phillips clattered into him towards the end of the half, the stopper struggling to walk off the field after the whistle went, but he was good to go into the second half.

The Northern Ireland man had to be alert to punch away a James O'Brien corner, while moments later, Jack Finch blasted a long-range effort that flew just over.

Coventry seemed to grow into the game and continued to threaten, but the deadlock was to be broken by the visitors, Thompson racing through on goal in the 72nd minute before chipping a ball over goalkeeper Ryan Allsop and into the net.

With two minutes left of the game, the Sky Blues felt they should have had a penalty when Hollis looked to have fouled Gary Madine, but referee Michael Bull waved away the appeals.

Ultimately, the final whistle blew to confirm an excellent away victory - buoyed by the Notts performance and Carroll's titanic effort to get back in time to play for his club - which sees the Magpies climb to fourth in the table.

After the good times of the last few weeks, Notts have been brought crashing back down to earth, first with a defeat against Walsall that confirmed the end of our unbeaten run, and now an underwhelming 0-0 draw against lower-league opposition in the FA Cup.

The draw means that we'll have to travel up to Accrington in a week's time, in what will be a difficult and tricky tie - we really should have killed it off today when we had the chance.

Shay McCartan had the first chance of the game when he volleyed wide from a poor Roy Carroll clearance, before marauding forward into the final third later on and causing problems.

Notts did pick up as the game went on, with Gary Jones making some good runs from midfield before trying his luck with a powerful drive that flew wide of the post.

Josh Windass then caused problems in the 22nd minute when he fired over, but moments later, it was Notts's turn to threaten, Ronan Murray volleying just wide.

The Magpies continued working their way into the game, with another Murray effort and a Michael Petrasso drive threatening to break the deadlock for the home side.

Little else of note happened in the latter stages of the first half, and after the restart, it seemed like it was going to be more of the same.

Early on, Andrew Procter appeared to have brought down Murray, but the referee was not interested in giving a penalty.

Then, Garry Thompson picked out Murray in the box, but the Irishman's subsequent shot towards into bottom corner drew a good block from Tom Aldred.

As time ticked by, with little separating the two sides, Stanley began to push forward and won several corners themselves, but to little avail.

Thompson then had the chance to win it in stoppage time, but his effort curled just wide, ensuring that the result would be 0-0 and force Shaun Derry's side to travel to Accrington next Tuesday.

And so our hoodoo against Walsall at Meadow Lane continues, although it didn't have to be in such unfortunate and controversial circumstances.

After making a poor start and conceding a goal early on, Garry Thompson pulled it back, only to then lose it when a penalty that shouldn't have been was conceded and duly converted by the Saddlers to secure a 2-1 win.

The game began in lively fashion when Tom Bradshaw found himself nearly put through on goal after just four minutes, but the move was aborted for offside.

Moments later, Haydn Hollis flicked the ball towards Michael Petrasso, who found his header saved.

Stephen McLaughlin and Liam Noble added several more chances in the ensuing minutes, but sadly, the deadlock would be broken by the visitors when Gary Jones accidentally put the ball into his own net.

In the 26th minute, Thompson threatened when his shot forced a save out of Richard O'Donnell, but he went one better just after the half-hour mark when McLaughlin's ball into the box was converted by the former Scunthorpe and Bradford man.

The Walsall keeper then did his best impression of Manuel Neuer when, on 37 minutes, he ran out of his box and headed the ball away.

Towards the latter stages of the first half, the game heated up as both teams registered several good chances, but ultimately, the break whistle blew on a 1-1 draw.

Walsall were on top in the early stages of the second period, but the manner in which they went back into the lead was contentious, as Hollis was judged to have handled in the penalty box, despite being just out.

Nevertheless, the referee, whose display in charge had been a bit iffy at best until that point, gave the spot kick, and Tom Bradshaw duly tucked the ball into the bottom corner.

The Magpies struggled to impose themselves back into the game after that, and after a few limp chances towards the end of the match, the final whistle signaled an end to the contest and to Notts County's unbeaten run.

Talk about going from strength to strength.

We’re on the cusp of November now, and with the season in full swing, Notts County now find themselves well into League One’s playoff places following another good display and a clean sheet finished off with a solitary strike from the spot to secure all three points away at Scunthorpe United in a 1-0 win at Glanford Park.

The Magpies had the better of the opening exchanges, Shaun Harrad blasting wide from a corner in the second minute.

Then, a cross from Blair Adams just missed Michael Petrasso, before Liam Noble struck the post with a long-range effort.

The Iron played in a manner not befitting their lowly league position, with Gary McSheffrey also rattling the woodwork with a header, while Roy Carroll had to save from Lyle Taylor after Haydn Hollis’s miscued header nearly set their striker up.

Shaun Harrad then saw a shot saved by Robert Olenjik following a ball from Garry Thompson.

Mustapha Dumbuya had to be at his best to thwart Paddy Madden and McSheffrey early on in the second half, but in the 54th minute, Madden and Taylor combined to very nearly score, the ball going wide by a whisker.

Both defences were at their steadfast best throughout most of the second half, with blocks and tackles taking the sting out of most efforts.

The game looked like it could go either way, but right at the end of the game, Olejnik hauled down substitute Ronan Murray in the box to gift the visitors a penalty.

Fellow substitute Zeli Ismail set the ball on the spot and duly smashed home to gift Notts the win in front of the ecstatic away fans, which puts the Magpies third in the league.

What a fantastic night for Notts County tonight. After the misery that was last season, this term is proving to be getting better and better with each passing matchday.

Tonight we were dour for the first 15 minutes against Barnsley, conceding two goals early on in what promised to be a long evening.

Soon, however, the Magpies summoned that grandiose Shaun Derry spirit to claw it right back and blow the Tykes away, securing a great win and three points in the process.

It wasn’t supposed to be like this. We were supposed to get beaten today, bearing in mind what we’ve been put through in the last 15 or so months. We conceded our first goal within eight minutes when Devante Cole seized on a Mustapha Dumbuya error to latch onto a Conor Hourihane ball before firing home past Roy Carroll.

Just four minutes later, the Manchester City loanee marauded into the area and squared a ball for Hourihane, the first goal’s provider getting onto the scoresheet himself from close range.

The 19th minute saw the fightback begin when Garry Thompson blaster a 20-yard drive beyond Tykes goalkeeper Ross Turnbull.

Notts fans had to wait until just after the hour for an equaliser when on-loan QPR winger Michael Petrasso nodded home Thompson’s cross.

Things then reached a cathartic climax when the Canadian youngster was then able to weave his way into the Barnsley area and slotted a winner past the keeper to put the Magpies into the lead.

The hosts tried to get back into the game in a last-ditch attempt to try and get a point, but Carroll and the defence weren’t to be thwarted, and as the final whistle blew, it proved joyous for everyone connected with the club, securing a tenth unbeaten game and ending the day in fifth place.

Well, what a truly exhilarating game today at Meadow Lane. Notts County surged into a three-goal lead within the first 40 minutes, before being pegged back to 3-2 until a grandstand finish saw Shaun Derry's charges establish a three-goal lead against Crawley Town.

The visitors then scored another goal, but ultimately, the Magpies would secure the win, 5-3, that meant a nine-game unbeaten run.

Garry Thompson opened the scoring in the ninth minute when he produced a great finish after collecting a pass by Stephen McLaughlin.

Just nine minutes later, McLaughlin provided another assist when his cross allowed Zeli Ismail to head home.

Crawley’s haphazard defending was exposed again in the 37th minute when a long ball from Jordan Cranston was headed down into the area by Shaun Harrad, with Thompson sneaking in at the near post to strike his second of the game.

After the break, the visitors reduced the deficit through Gwion Edwards's long range strike, which found the top corner.

Things became more tense for the hosts when Matt Harrold calmly slotted a ball past Roy Carroll to make it 3-2 five minutes before the hour.

Thompson, however, eased nerves by heading in McLaughlin’s corner and securing his hat-trick in the process.

With ten minutes left to play, Gary Jones’s deflected effort made it 5-2 to leave Notts cruising.

Marvin Elliott then struck a consolation third goal for his side with six minutes remaining, but despite having five minutes of added time, the visitors couldn’t add to their tally, and so Derry's charges secured a thrilling win and three points.

Once again, Notts County rode their luck, but once again, the result went their way, as Shaun Derry's side eked out a 2-1 win away at Scunthorpe United in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

Paddy Madden scored the opening goal following a defensive slip-up by Blair Adams, but Stephen McLaughlin and Ronan Murray pulled the match back in their favour, the Magpies doing enough to hang onto the win.

After a scrappy opening period, Hawkridge was responsible for the first chance in the ninth minute, but his effort after marauding on goal was tame and easily saved by Fabian Spiess.

On the quarter-hour mark, however, Notts suffered a setback when Adams slipped and allowed Madden to take control of the ball, bear down on goal and slot past the German stopper to give his side the lead.

The advantage lasted all of nine minutes, as a loose ball in the Iron box following a free kick was met by on-loan man McLaughlin, who fired home to level proceedings.

Things would get better for the Magpies just after the half-hour mark, young Drissa Traore sending a wonderful ball the way of Murray, before the Irishman sent a classy finish past Robert Olejnik to turn the match around on its head.

Scunthorpe set about trying to pull themselves back into the game, and nearly scored with five minutes to go in the first half through former Notts skipper Neal Bishop, but the midfielder fired wide.

The second half, as with several other second halves involving County this season, were a case of backs to the wall, as the opposition cranked it up a gear and launched forward at every opportunity.

Notts had their chances, but the Iron managed to get the ball into the visitors' net not once but twice, both efforts being disallowed for offside and infringement respectively.

Nevertheless, Derry's charges were able to see the game out and secure the win, ensuring that the Meadow Lane outfit remained eight games unbeaten.

Well, the good times just keep rolling. Another game, another win, another clean sheet, another set of feel-good stories as the Magpies keep marching on.

Shaun Harrad, in his second spell at Notts County, scored an emotional first ever goal at Meadow Lane, while the impervious Roy Carroll pulled off a sublime save from a penalty kick to seal a 1-0 win at home to Gillingham.

Doug Loft, captain for the visitors, caused trouble from the off when he blasted a shot from the edge of the area, but the effort flew over the bar, while in the seventh minute, Stephen McLaughlin forced a stop from Gills keeper Stephen Bywater following a stern strike.

Both sides exchanges parrying shots in an open-ended contest, but the breakthrough came ten minutes from the break as McLoughlin's cross was headed on by Jake Cassidy before falling to the waiting Harrad, who nodded the ball in from close range to send the home crowd into a frenzy.

Loft, however, almost equalised on the stroke of half-time with a stinging 25-yard strike that cannoned off the crossbar.

Peter Taylor’s side were invigorated after the break and came forward time and time again, with Cody McDonald poking the ball underneath Carroll in the 54th minute but being denied by a spectacular goal-line clearance by Louis Laing.

Garry Thompson came close to scoring at the back post midway through the first half, but Gillingham pushed forward at every opportunity, and had the perfect chance to equalise when Bradley Dack was brought down by Louis Laing with ten minutes left.

Luke Norris struck a seemingly perfect low and hard ball into the bottom left corner, but Carroll guessed the right way and pulled off a tremendous save, getting his body behind the shot and keeping hold of it.

There were seven minutes of injury time for Notts to see out and Gillingham threw everything forward in a bid to claim an equaliser, but couldn't find a way through a resolute Magpies defence which kept their second clean sheet in a week.

In hindsight, it wasn't the most taxing of pursuits. Crewe Alexandra have been nothing short of shambolic this season, mired at the bottom of League One with the most goals conceded in the English professional leagues.

Nevertheless, Notts County's 3-0 win at Gresty Road against the beleaguered Railwaymen was a very welcome result, one that goes a long way to confirm that the Magpies are a different proposition to last season.

Shaun Harrad, the local boy who started his career at Meadow Lane, proved a nuisance to the Alex back line in the early stages, helping to set up Noble and force a save from Ben Garratt.

Crewe responded through another Notts alumnus, Marcus Haber, who saw his header flash across goal and spook the Magpies defence following a corner from Jamie Ness.

Harrad then went on to maraud into the box midway through the first half, but proceeded to blast his effort over the bar, but the intent was there.

Notts kept on pressing, new loan signing Stephen McLaughlin playing the ball to Jake Cassidy, whose subsequent effort ended up being spilled by Garratt.

Haber continued to prove a thorn in County's side with a dangerous header, but moments before half time, the visitors took the lead.

Garry Thompson charged forward and whipped a low cross towards Cassidy, beating the Crewe defence in the process and requiring nothing more than a tap-in at the back post from the on-loan Wolves man.

Just seven minutes into the second half, Notts doubled their lead, courtesy of Harrad's drive forward and shot past Garrat after being set up by McLaughlin.

And just after the hour, the third goal came for the Magpies to put the result beyond all doubt, as the scintillating McLaughlin received the ball out wide and played a low cross in to the centre of the Alex six-yard box.

Cassidy charged forward to poke the ball beyond Garratt into the home side's net and secure three crucial points for Notts that sees them climb to 10th in the table.

Another game, another backs-to-the-wall job, another point. Notts County took on local rivals this afternoon and were lucky to come away with a 1-1 draw after a lethargic first-half Chesterfield team were a completely different beast in the second half.

The Magpies made a bright start when Curtis Thompson's long throw fell to Haydn Hollis, who flicked the ball to an advancing Zeli Ismail. However, the 20-year-old's header was well saved by Spireites goalkeeper Tommy Lee.

The pressure continued as Nicky Wroe's drive following a poor clearance was deflected behind for a corner.

With just 15 minutes on the clock, the visitors broke the deadlock when another bad clearance fell to Adams just outside the box. The defender, deployed on the wing for this game, blasted the ball low and hard past Lee to put his side a goal up.

Just seven minutes later, the same player struck the post, the ball rebounding and ending wide.

With 38 minutes gone, the beleaguered Spireites registered chances courtesy of Arman Gnanduillet and Eoin Doyle, but neither striker was able to hit the target.

The second half saw Chesterfield a different proposition, as the home side powered forward at every opportunity. Jordan Cranston had to be at his best to thwart a goalmouth scramble in the 55th minute, while moments later, Daniel Johnson curled a ball just wide.

Despite an impervious performance by the Notts back line and goalkeeper, the equaliser duly came on the hour, when Georg Margreitter thumped a towering header home past Roy Carroll.

Just over ten minutes later, Doyle was put clean through on goal, but the Northern Ireland stopper did enough to thwart the chance, while Johnson's rebound was blocked by Cranston.

The visitors were under siege in the latter stages of the match, but ultimately held on for a draw.

Well, this afternoon's game will not go down in the annals any time soon, that's for sure. Notts County scraped yet another draw in League One, a third successive draw in fact, against an Oldham Athletic team that threatened virtually all afternoon.

Granted, we are in a better position this year than at the same stage last season, but there's only so many times we can scrape lucky draws against teams we should be beating before something gives.

The game started with the Magpies threatening first, as Ronan Murray was flagged offside after setting off too early on a run.

However, the pendulum swung Oldham's way thereafter, Dominic Poleon back-heeling the ball towards goal in the second minute, but Roy Carroll was able to save with ease.

On the quarter-hour mark, a good block by Louis Laing thwarted a powerful shot from Jonathan Forte after the ex-Magpie marauded into the box.

The game went through the motions in the first half, with the away side dominating proceedings, but failing to do much in the final third.

Likewise, the best effort by Notts was a speculative shot by Liam Noble from 25 yards midway through the first half, which fell kindly to Oldham goalkeeper Paul Rachubka.

Oldham ended the half on a high, captain Liam Kelly and Jones hitting shots wide in the closing minutes.

The second half picked up from where the first ended, Forte threatening to break the deadlock early on until he was stopped inside the penalty area by stand-in captain Haydn Hollis.

On 55 minutes, Mustapha Dumbuya sent a dangerous ball the way of Murray, but Rachubka was able to catch it out of the air just above the youngster's head.

Substitute Shaun Harrad almost made an immediate impact after coming on just after the hour, first lashing an overhead kick over the crossbar, then heading a ball towards goal that was saved by the Latics keeper.

Controversy reigned in the 78th minute when Harrad fell in the Oldham box, but the referee deemed it to be a dive and booked the comeback striker.

The game sparked into life somewhat in the late stages when Jake Cassidy almost put Ismail through on goal seven minutes later, but the visitors were able to clear.

Oldham then threatened to score right at the end, sub Danny Philliskirk heading over the bar from three yards.

Arguably the most agonising moment for Notts came in the third minute of injury time when Carroll had to tip a low shot from Connor Wilkinson past his left-hand post.