Tann-tastic Notts earn crucial win

Adam Tann's first ever goal for Notts County proved sufficient to end a disastrous run which had brought only one win in their last 11 games.

The skipper made sure that Jason Lee's header crossed the line as he bundled it in just inside Chester City's keeper John Danby's right hand post.

Pilkington... World class save

The breakthrough came on 58 minutes, and was sufficient to provide a deserved three points for the Magpies, who could have won by a more comfortable margin.

The first half was very uneventful, played at a extremely low tempo, with no goalmouth action of any note.

The second half was much better.

Chester had the first chance to break the stalemate with a long distance free kick, struck beautifully Kevin Sandwith, but Notts keeper Kevin Pilkington produced a wonderful save to thwart the Blues when a goal seemed certain.

The majority of County's chances in the second half fell to Lawrie Dudfield, who was unlucky when his header struck the woodwork, but probably should have done better later on when he shot across the face of the goal.

The scrappy from defender Tann goal ensured County capitalised on their sustained pressure.

Tann... Winner

Midfielder Richard Butcher, seeking his nineth goal of the season, had a great chance on 70 minutes to double County's advantage but he pulled his effort wide of Danby's left hand post.

The Blues had another chance with seven minutes to go as the Notts defence did not deal with a dangerous left wing corner, but unmarked Paul Butler missed the target at the back post.

The extra four minutes of play produced heightened tension with Notts fans equally desperate for both the final whistle and the three points. They had seen the Magpies suffer three successive home defeats before this success, which was greeted with huge relief all round.