Midweek trip a real Chor – but Lady Mags too good for the Alex

NEWCASTLE United ended a run of three consecutive defeats with a vital 2-0 win at Crewe Alexandra.

In their previous midweek match, the Lady Mags fell to fourth-bottom after losing at Chorley 3-1 and swapped places wth them – Megan McKenzie with a first-half equaliser.

On Sunday, Newcastle took a seventh-minute lead when a handball inside the area led to a penalty which Steph Ord calmly converted. The visitors spurned three glorious chances to double their lead before Crewe had their first goal attempt after half an hour.

Five minutes later the Lady Mags did double their advantage.

A ball into the box led to Rhiannon Gray heading past Alex’s onrushing goalkeeper.

In the second half, the hosts improved but were wasteful in front of goal – while Newcastle also failed to add to their first-half brace, missing two golden chances.

With none of the teams below winning, Newcastle moved back above Chorley and are now seven points clear of the bottom two – Leeds United and Barnsley – with four matches remaining.

Chester-le-Street Town did the Lady Mags a good turn with a 3-0 home success over Leeds United.

Leeds had two efforts well saved before Laura Hockaday gave the hosts a half-time lead.

Two minutes after the restart, Nichole Havery made it 2-0 with a powerful drive and on the hour Kacie Elson sealed he points.