Appearances: 40

Season highlight: Keeping four successive clean sheets for the first time in his Notts career.

Season lowlight: Being dropped for the second time in the season after two gaffes allowed Shrewsbury - at that time big playoff rivals - a win over Notts at a critical time in the season.

Best game: Grimsby Town (away) - Big clean sheet after Notts had shipped too many goals in the former weeks, Pilkington produced two or three top saves to help Notts to a crucial 2-0 win.

Having been named 'Players Player of the Year' last season, then manager Gudjon Thordarson rewarded Pilkington with a new two year contract. However, with the Icelander parting with the Magpies shortly after,

Thordarson... Favoured Pilkington

Pilkington's role was thrown into doubt.

This was especially true when new boss Steve Thompson named Saul Deeney amongst his summer acquisitions. Deeney was the number one prior to Pilkington's arrival at Meadow Lane from Mansfield, and his return was to challenge the 33-year-old for the first choice goalkeeping shirt.

Thompson announced that his first eleven would be named on the basis of who performs best in pre-season, and Pilkington was given the nod.

It appeared to be a wise choice by the manager with Pilkington keeping six clean sheets in the first twelve league games of the season.

With Deeney performing heroics in his run-outs during Notts' spirited Carling Cup campaign, Pilkington was being kept on his toes all the way and had to keep performing.

An excellent display at Grimsby allowed him to maintain his first choice status but he soon found the going a bit tougher, with Notts losing form shortly after their Carling Cup exit.

The former Manchester United man made high profile errors in the games with Rochdale, Hereford and Bury and was axed. Reports of a bust up behind the scenes with Thompson didn't help his case and he was forced to take his place on the bench with Deeney given his chance in league action. Not that he took it, making errors of his own allowing Pilkington a second bite of the cherry.

Kevin Pilkington

His return, after Thompson had praised his work ethic and professionalism in training, saw a superb display at Stockport - despite a 2-0 Boxing Day loss - and gave him the oppurtunity to re-confirm his abilities.

He remained number one until the Shrewsbury errors listed as his lowlight, but with Deeney again unable to capitalise, Thompson moved his more experienced man back in - with fantastic results. Pilkington kept four successive clean sheets in four straight wins that put Notts back into the playoff race.

Ending as first choice, Pilkington's place in next season's squad appears justified and guaranteed once again.

The Mad view: Pilkington has blew hot and cold with some inconsistent times this season. His experienced head has often been missing with some nervous displays. When Alan White was in the side, Pilkington seemed short on confidence, but occasional displays of shot stopping brilliance kept him as number one. An up and down year, he will be hoping to cut out his errors next season, particularly his kicking, and then he can call himself a top League Two 'keeper.

Rating: 7/10