Crewe Alexandra 1-0 Notts County

Courtney Baker-Richardson scored the winner with a 98th minute penalty

Courtney Baker-Richardson's stoppage-time penalty secured Crewe a dramatic 1-0 win over fellow promotion challengers Notts County after an ill-tempered end to the game.

Baker-Richardson fired home with 98 minutes on the clock after County winger Jodi Jones was adjudged to have handled Ryan Cooney's volley.

In a chaotic finale, an assistant referee awarded the spot-kick, shortly after referee Simon Mather went off with a hamstring injury.

A referee's assistant then appeared to be hit by something thrown from the crowd before moving to the other side of the pitch when the match resumed for the final 30 seconds after a lengthy delay.

Confusion followed the incident, with police and stewards on the pitch to deal with fans who had gone onto the field after the penalty was scored and the situation with the official.

Police came onto the pitch after Crewe's late penalty winner

Former Notts County striker Mark Stallard, a summariser for BBC Radio Nottingham, said: "It looks as if the assistant referee was struck by something from the Notts fans behind him.

"That's unacceptable if that is the case. The frustration is understandable it's a passionate game, but that behaviour is unacceptable.

"The ramifications will come, that is not what Notts County are about as a club. It's unfortunately a blemish and they will serve some sort of punishment."

Defences were on top for most of the game at Gresty Road, although the Magpies controlled much of the second period until they were hit by the late sucker punch.

In the opening minutes County defender Aden Baldwin timed a tackle to perfection to dispossess Shilow Tracey as the attacker burst clear inside the box. But when Baldwin misjudged the flight of a through ball Baker-Richardson was offered a sight of goal, only to drag his effort wide of the far post.

The Magpies took their time getting together as an attacking force and when Crewe skipper Luke Offord was caught in possession, Macauley Langstaff was put clear, but keeper Harvey Davies came off his line to make a save.

As the first half ended Baker-Richardson headed a difficult chance over at the far post after Sam Slocombe palmed away a free-kick from Joe White.

After the restart, Davies had to push a clearing header from team-mate Connor O'Riordan around the post.

County stepped up a gear and Jones stabbed the ball wide after Aaron Nemane drove an cross to the near post. Jones then went close to picking out the bottom corner with a low drive and Langstaff curled a left-footed around the far post.

David McGoldrick was thwarted by a last-ditch tackle by O'Riordan and Cooney's loft at the other end of the pitch dropped onto the roof of the net.

Match report supplied by PA Media