Aussie rules...but Notts fall at Chester

A second half double from Michael Branch helped Chester on the way to a much-needed 3-2 win against Notts County to help ease their relegation worries.

The striker twice combined with the impressive Ben Davies to enable Ian Rush's men to extend their advantage over the League's bottom two clubs.

Hurst: Back on the scoresheet

The visitors had had the better of the opening exchanges and took the lead on 24 minutes as Glynn Hurst touched the ball in from close range after Mark Stallard had headed the ball goalwards.

A defensive mistake by David Pipe then allowed Chester back into the game. With no real danger, the full back both miss-controlled and then slipped, presenting the ball to Stewart Drummond, who rifled in from 12 yards.

County then had a let off on 34 minutes as a centre from Robbie Foy was met by the head of Drummond, but his effort cannoned off the bar.

The persistence of the home side paid off as they went ahead on 58 minutes through a well-worked goal. A deft header by Foy played Davies into acres of space, and his precision pass found Branch who side-footed home.

Paul Bolland and Shane McFaul were replaced by Shaun Harrad and Ruben Zadkovich as County searched for an equaliser, and it was Harrad who almost made an instant impact, but his header from Pipe's cross flew over the bar.

The game appeared to have been made safe 13 minutes from time as yet another precision pass from Davies was played to Branch who beat Elliot in a chase and slid the ball into the net.

Chris MacKenzie produced a miraculous stop to deny Glynn Hurst's header and substitute Zadkovich's left-foot strike into the bottom corner with eight minutes to go gave the visitors renewed hope, but Chester held on for the win.