Notts began well and almost took a third minute lead through Chris Buck.

Jason Faulkner produced a good save to thwart Players’ first attack in the sixth minute.

Both sides attacked in an end-to-end game but it was Notts who went the closer with Allan Butler’s run ending with a shot that was just wide.

Alex Greer broke the deadlock just before the break from a short corner drag flick.

For the rest of the half Players pressed but Matt Cluer, Buck and Frazer Jephson held firm.

The second half followed a similar pattern with both sides going close, but it was Notts who extended their lead 18 minutes in, when Allan Butler rounded off a five-man move.

Jamie Cluer almost made it 3-0 late on but his shot went wide.

Keeper Faulkner, Chris White and Matt Kanalas all shone in a good team display.

l Notts II struggled against a physical Sutton Coldfield side and for only the second time this season tasted defeat, 7-2.

The win for Sutton meant they leap-frogged Notts into third place in this increadibly tough division.

l A hat-trick from expectant father Jason Barton was enough for Notts III to bury Northampton Saints 4-0 on Saturday.

In a somewhat unpredictable season so far Notts need to steady the ship and gain some more consistancy to be sure of safety.

l Notts IV continue to struggle in a relegation spot in their tough division.

This week it was National League club, Belper, that added to their season's woes with a 4-1 defeat although the Notts side put up a brave fight.

l Corey Nemeth scored both as Notts V took on Chesterfield, from a division higher, in a friendly fixture and lost 4-2.

l Among the ladies it was top versus second at Manor Park on Saturday, and it was North Notts who beat Wellingborough 3-2 to extend their lead at the top of Midland League two to four points

Wellingborough started well and showed good skills as they pushed Notts onto defence in the opening minutes.

Notts were without Claire Faulkner and Abigail Robinson, both injured, from the normal back three. The revamped back line coped very well with the early pressure and Notts were soon making their own attacks count.

A neat build up between Amy Butler and Helen Clarke sliced through the visitors’ defence. Clarke slipped the ball across the face of the keeper to Lauren Greasley, and the young winger neatly clipped the ball over the diving keeper but was unlucky to see her finish rebound to safety from the inside of the post.

North Notts were having the better of the game and forced three short corners in the first 10 minutes, but failed to convert any of them.

As both teams regrouped the game became a battle for midfield supremacy. Then Notts won a free hit near the D and worked the ball in to win a short corner.