Irishman Deeney made only his fourth league start of the campaign during Saturday's 2-2 home draw with MK Dons, whilst Pilkington has started 31 times in League 2.
However, many fans are clamouring for the permanent inclusion of Deeney, with opinion clearly divided over which of the goalkeepers deserves the coveted number one spot.
Deeney returned to Meadow Lane in the summer following a season away with Burton Albion. Deeney left as Pilkington arrived, allegedly because of contract wrangles with then manager Gudjon Thordarson.
Nevertheless, he was delighted to return to League football with the Magpies under new boss Steve Thompson, who had made it clear to Deeney that experienced stopper Pilkington would begin as number one.
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Indeed, the former Manchester United man kept six clean sheets in the first two months of the campaign, conceding just ten goals in twelve games.
Alongside this though, Thompson was giving many of his second string a run out in the Carling Cup, a competition Notts were to excel in as they made the fourth round via wins over Championship sides Crystal Palace and Southampton, and Premiership outfit Middlesbrough. All three ties saw Notts claim clean sheets, with Deeney between the sticks. He was particularly good in the thrilling home win over the Saints, with two or three breathtaking saves.
If a striker loses form it doesn't necessarily have to coincide with a loss in form for the whole side, however, a goalkeeper is a different matter. As the last line of defence, any mistake will result in the concession of a goal, unless they get lucky.
So as ex Mansfield man Pilkington contributed to several errors as 2006 drew to a close, Notts' biggest drop in form occurred, and they slipped from the Playoff zone, and have yet to return there since.
With Pilkington in goal, Notts went eight games without a clean sheet between from the end of October to the beginning of December. A catastrophic mistake against Hartlepool eventually gave Deeney is chance.
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Not that the 24-year-old seized his oppurtunity. He failed to convert his Cup form to league action, conceding two on his return to the side in the shock defeat at home to Macclesfield. A brief respite saw a clean sheet in a vital 1-0 win at Darlington, but worse was to come. Against Hereford at Meadow Lane, a game Notts lost 1-0, Deeney failed to inspire confidence in his defence, and caused confusion as Hereford stole the points.
Thompson axed him and Pilkington was back in as Notts crumbled at Stockport 2-0.
Despite the defeat, Pilkington performed well, earning the NCM Man of the Match award, and preventing a heavier loss.
He was to remain in the side until Saturday, playing ten times, conceding seventeen times, and earning a solitary clean sheet.
He was superb against both Lincoln and Wycombe, but inconsistency crept in and again he was costly with an incredible error gifting Rochdale the points a week ago. He then failed to deal with Shrewsbury, two further individual errors allowing for a 2-0 defeat.
Thompson dropped him.
And so Deeney has the shirt, and now four league appearances to his name. The question is, should he keep it?
NCM are of the opinion neither have been consistent enough to warrant much praise this season. Deeney made a vital error that knocked Notts from the Carling Cup, and also failed to muster his last chance in league action. Pilkington has made several important mistakes, and whilst it would be harsh to pin the Playoff collapse on him, he has made mistakes on a consistent basis.
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Deeney couldn't be blamed for the goals conceded against the Dons, and so deserves an extended chance as number one, even with the 23 shirt on his back!
If he makes a mistake it appears certain that Thompson will re-install Pilkington, so concentration is vital for Deeney. This extra competition that has now occurred could have an immediately positive impact on a Notts side apparently out of the Playoff race.
Should both knuckle down and show determined form to challenge for the number one place, Notts may reap the rewards, and make a late surge.