Notts County strengthened their claims for automatic promotion as they blitzed an out-of-form Bury side 5-0.

County blitz past beaten Bury

Notts County strengthened their claims for automatic promotion as they blitzed an out-of-form Bury side 5-0. After Mike Edwards had given the hosts an early lead, the Magpies netted three times in 14 second half minutes to end the challenge of the visitors. First Craig Westcarr got on the end of a Luke Rodgers cross, before Ben Davies finished off a lovely passing move and then whipped in a free kick for Lee Hughes to head home. And County substitute Delroy Facey completed a miserable afternoon for the Shakers when he tapped in with nine minutes left. The result stretched Bury's winless streak to eight matches but the score line flattered Notts, who withstood a period of heavy pressure in the first half after Edwards had blasted them in to a fourth minute lead following a quick free kick. But once Westcarr had found space in the box to score following a good run for Rodgers, it was one-way traffic for a Notts side who have now hit four or more goals in the season seven times, and extended Steve Cotterill's unbeaten start as manager to nine matches.