Match ratings v Grimsby Town... Including Jason Lee... 5

Pilkington... Best in the division?

Kevin Pilkington. STAR MAN. Once again Pilkington was in superb form, saving Notts on several occassions. There is no doubt he is in the form of his career, and the news that he wants to sign a new contract with the club can only benefit Notts. Stopped a one-on-one, brilliantly caught a header on the dive, claimed absolutely everything in the air and could do little with the goal - even if it was his near post. He is the best goalkeeper in the division on this form, and I never thought I'd say that. 9

Lee Canoville. Continues to improve. His crossing was particularly impressive and should have heralded a goal - particularly late on from Myles Weston. Defended well, stuck to his task and contributed alot. A little nervy when crossing the halfway line in possession though. 8

Adam Tann. Looked a little out of sorts compared to recent showings as Peter Till gave him a bit of a runaround. A little sloppy in possession and didn't look assured. That said, he was his usual committed self. 6

Mike Edwards. Notts' rock won everything that came his way and dealt with the pacey Danny North impressively. Wasn't called upon too often with Town playing down Notts' right more often, but did his job efficiently. Missed a good chance lashing over but was offside anyway. 7

Stephen Hunt. Committed, aggressive and assured. Hunt is a very good defender at this level, and as a whole the Notts backline is looking good at present. In fairness, he didn't have a direct man to mark with Town employing wing-backs, but he performed as he had to. 7

Ali Gibb. A fairly quiet showing from Gibb. He looks like an economical player; good on the ball and he works hard. But he needs to get invloved and

Silk... Not a midfielder

make himself known more. Two decent crosses illustrated his good ability out wide - but there wasn't enough of it. 6

Gavin Strachan. Very impressive when on the ball, Strachan weaved his way out of trouble on several occassions with his close control and good turns. Not as good in the second where he was hounded off the ball a bit, and he needs to pass forward more. 6

Gary Silk. I'm sorry, but he is not a central midfielder. His positional sense isn't there and he doesn't influence the game. He isn't particularly bad, he just doesn't make a difference. There is basically little point him being there. Great work rate, definitely. But where is the midfielder making the difference? 5

Richard Butcher. Always looked like scoring, Butcher was again on the scoresheet, an incredible tenth from midfield and its only February. Always Notts' biggest threat, Butcher worked hard out of position and got into some good positions without having an end product sometimes. Put him back in the middle Ian, and he will get 20. 8

Jarvis... So close a striker scoring

Jason Lee. Still no goal this season for the 35-year-old, in his 19th appearance of the season. Lee won his headers as usual, and put himself about as usual, but never looked like scoring. Had two oppurtunities to power the ball in but chose to head back across goal. Lacking confidence, and his link up play was abysmal. 5

Ryan Jarvis. Looks an intelligent player, but should have opened his account immediately. Still, it is one game in, and he looked tired by the end. Bizarrely took his one-on-one chance wide of goal, but Jarvis set up Butcher's goal brilliantly, and looked lively. He could prove very useful. 7

Subs

Myles Weston (for Gibb, 74). Looked very lively, but still lacks that end product which is why McParland is reluctant to start him - perhaps rightly so. Sped past his marker on a couple of occassions impressively, but should have scored the winner when heading over from under the crossbar. 7

Spencer Weir-Daley (for Lee, 81). It is becoming clearer to see why he hasn't been in McParland's plans of late - his touch was poor and he gave the ball away alot. 5

Lawrie Dudfield (for Jarvis, 88). Brought on too late. n/a