THREE goals, one clean sheet, a fifth successive win at Crewe and now six matches unbeaten.
Whichever way you want to put the stats in order, the numbers are currently stacking up quite nicely for Notts County.
This 3-0 win was also their biggest victory of the season as Shaun Derry's side ruthlessly punished the worst defence in the entire country, leaving Crewe manager Steve Davis under increasing threat of being handed a P45.
It left the Railwaymen rooted to the foot of the League One table, while Notts continue to soar towards the top half thanks to Jake Cassidy's well-taken double, while Shaun Harrad also got in on the act on his first start of the campaign.
The manner of the victory will have delighted Derry, who broke from his traditional
4-5-1 system to play a two-man strike force in a bid to exploit Crewe's defensive weaknesses.
With the Railwaymen having the ignominy of the worst goals against column in the top four divisions, the Notts boss hoped his tactical switch of playing Harrad alongside Cassidy would reap plenty of dividends.
Having arrived in Staffordshire in the midst of a five-game unbeaten run and confidence growing, Notts' start was positive and would have pleased Derry, who had engineered a 3-1 win here back in March.
Harrad , making his first start of the campaign, was particularly eager to impress and when he used his strength to hold off Matt Tootle, Crewe sensed danger.
Liam Noble had made a courageous run from midfield to join the attack and when he was picked out by his team-mate, his shot was deflected into the arms of Ben Garratt, who was helped by the nick off Alan Tate's heels.
Crewe , rock bottom of League One, responded dangerously through the medium of a set-piece, perhaps betraying the school of total football which the Railwaymen have become renowned for over the years.
Vadaine Oliver was the beneficiary of Roy Carroll's decision to try to punch clear, but with an unguarded goal the striker, surprised by the opportunity, could only divert his header wide of the post.
Harrad, whose physical presence drew Anthony Grant to rake him down the back of the calf to earn a yellow card, charged into the box moments later but was off balance as he fired powerfully over the bar.
The game's pace began to dwindle as a result of several midfield skirmishes but a misplaced pass from Oliver soon ignited Notts as they moved up field with a rapacious counter attack.
With Stephen McLaughlin carrying the ball from just beyond the halfway line, he slipped a pass in to the feet of Cassidy, whose drive ended up being spilled by Garratt.
Harrad raced in for the rebound and was denied by a brave save, but even had he succeeded, the referee's assistant had deemed the striker was in an offside position.
Crewe's response was swift as Marcus Haber headed over, but just before half-time, Notts began to move through the gears again, which led to a deserved breakthrough courtesy of a wonderful counter attack.
Noble began it with a lovely arching pass out to Garry Thompson, who scampered towards the area, where his low cross deceived the Crewe back four to allow Cassidy a simple finish at the back post.
Derry would have wanted more of the same in the second half, and with Crewe's confidence completely shot would have sensed more goals.
They began the half where they left off and took just seven minutes of the restart to double their lead.
Good work by McLaughlin, who had lingered out wide following a corner, ended with him slipping a cute pass in to the feet of Harrad, who surged into the box.
He took the chance first time and with the aid of a deflection from Alan Tate, something the defender knew little about, the ball flew beyond Garratt.
Crewe attempted to summon a response but it was the visitors who looked most likely to add to the scoreline.
In the 62nd minute they made it 3-0 with another well worked goal.
McLaughlin, who was getting better as the game progressed on his debut from Forest, received the ball out wide and played a low cross in to the centre of the six-yard box.
Like all good centre forwards, Cassidy timed his run to perfection to gleefully guide the ball beyond Garratt.
To their credit, Crewe continued to push for a goal but struggled to break down a resolute back four which drew envious glances from the home fans, who are pining for a solid defence themselves.
The last thing Davis's side needed was to see Ronan Murray and Zeli Ismail sent on for the visitors, two players who were more than capable of helping Notts to a fourth goal.
But, as it was, Derry's side settled for three goals and a priceless three-point haul.
Crewe: Garratt, Tootle, Guthrie (Atkinson 69), Ray (Dugdale 38), Oliver, Waters, Leigh, Haber, Ness (Turton 69), Tate, Grant. Subs not used: Shearer, Inman, Cooper, Nolan.
Notts: Carroll, Dumbuya, Laing, Hollis, Cranston, G Thompson (Ismail 86), Wroe, Noble, McLaughlin, Harrad (Murray 77), Cassidy. Subs not used: Adams, McKenzie, C Thompson, Spiess, Traore.
Referee: Keith Hill. Didn't have the best of games and made some mystifying decisions. Could well have sent off Anthony Grant for raking the back of Shaun Harrad's calf but missed it. Not the greatest of nights.
Man of the match: Liam Noble. The former Sunderland and Carlisle midfielder is in terrific form at the moment and is proving to be one of the bargains of the window in League One. A tenacious performance matched with a stunning array of passing. Superb display.
