Macca brace ends bad run

This report from the BBC Football website:

Sheffield Wednesday ended a run of four games without a win thanks to a Paul McLaren brace against Notts County. The midfielder opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, beating keeper Steve Mildenhall with an unstoppable shot from just outside the area.

McLaren made it 2-0 seven minutes after the restart when he scored from Adam Proudlock's low cross at the far post. County pulled a goal back 10 minutes later when Mark Stallard beat on-loan keeper David Lucas with a well-executed chip.

The Magpies also had two other good chances to restore parity. County's Simon Baldry went close before Darren Caskey put a free-kick over the bar. At the other end, Mildenhall was called into action to turn Grant Holt's effort wide. And McLaren, eyeing a hat-trick, tried his luck with a long-range effort in injury-time but sent the ball wide of the target.

Half-time: Owls 1-0 Notts County