Josh March’s stoppage-time penalty earns Crewe victory over Notts County

Josh March converted a stoppage-time penalty as Crewe snatched a dramatic 2-1 win over Notts County at the Mornflake Stadium.

The Railwaymen were off to a promising start through skipper Mickey Demetriou’s set-piece header in the eighth minute. But Nick Tsaroulla levelled for County in first-half stoppage time and the visitors posed the greater threat until the late penalty drama.

Demetriou planted a back-post header into the net after Tommi O’Reilly’s retaken corner bounced over defenders’ heads.

Matt Palmer’s curling shot was pushed behind by Crewe keeper Tom Booth.

Alassana Jatta had a close-range effort blocked by Max Sanders and the visitors stepped up the pressure as the half closed, drawing level when Tsaroulla picked out the far corner after seizing on a rebound.

County maintained their threat after the break when Tyrese Hall’s 20-yard strike was cleared off the line.

Charlie Finney’s effort from a tight angle forced a save out of County keeper Kelle Roos.

Jatta wasted a glorious chance from eight yards out when firing onto a post and Booth used his feet to keep out Tsaroulla’s downward header at the far post.

But when Scott Robertson pushed Jack Lankester in the box deep into stoppage time referee Paul Tierney pointed to the spot and March stepped up to send Roos the wrong way.