As hard a pill as it is to swallow, summing up yesterday's embarrassing defeat to a side rock bottom of the Football League is not as black and white as you may think.
In saying that though, one thing it certainly is not down to - contrary to manager Ian McParland's slighted view - was one man's decision to hit the deck in the tackle.
Instead it will be the missed chances and basic tactical errors that will be picked over in the aftermath, leaving the Scotsman with an impossible task of picking his players up before Saturday's visit of Wycombe.
One point that can be picked out of the grey, however, was Notts'
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Truth be told, the better side lost; but another toothless performance did not pass the travelling support by as the club slipped one step closer to the abyss.
Average - 6
Russell Hoult. Helpless for the goal and had precious little to do all afternoon. 6
Lee Canoville. I've never been this man's biggest fan and maintain his defensive frailties make him a liability. Saying that, he shouldn't shoulder the blame for yesterday's humiliation, no matter how tempting it is. 5
Stephen Hunt. Solid if not spectacular at full-back before being moved inside to accommodate for Johnson's untimely departure. Seemed to have lost some of the promise he offered last season, although will no doubt improve with age. 6
Mike Edwards. Another flawless performance from Edwards, who looked a cut above most of his team-mates. 6
Michael Johnson. With him and Edwards at the back, we won't concede many goals, which is reassuring in our position. Old legs tire fast though and the Magpies lacked a calming influence after his departure. Irreplaceable. 6
Myles Weston. Offered pace and imagination going forward and showed a new side when tracking back to help out his full-back. The dictionary definition of raw talent, but one any manager worth his salt will tame. 6.5
Ryan Jarvis. Like Weston, Jarvis offered much-needed width and combined well with Canoville throughout. A player well worth keeping, should the opportunity arise. 6
Richard Butcher. For his efforts Butcher failed to boss a game that was there for the taking. The final two games should see him step up to the plate, although only time will tell how well McParland can pick his head up for the run-in. 5.5
Neil MacKenzie. In relegation dogfights, MacKenzie looks far too much an expensive luxury and will need to make better use of the ball if the Magpies are to avoid nosediving into non-league obscurity. 5
Danny Crow. Despite missing a gilt-edged chance, McParland's decision to haul off the Peterborough loanee was met with jeers from the travelling faithful. It was Crow rather than Lee who looked more likely to score, despite
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Jason Lee. Constantly guilty of throwing away possession with his back to goal, and will need to regain his knack of shielding the ball fast. 5
Substitutes:
Paul Mayo (for Johnson, 46). Settled in well after his introduction, and supported Weston admirably during a nervy second half. 6
Wayne Corden (for Jarvis, 86). Hardly touched the ball after his introduction. As a natural winger, hindsight would suggest the former Mansfield man started at the expense of Lee. 5
Lawrie Dudfield (for Crow, 52). A willing runner who, like Crow, muscled his way into the box with good effect. Perhaps deserved a goal for his efforts. 6