Derby preview SPECIAL: Last time out

Last time out

Mansfield Town 2-0 Notts County, Field Mill, October 20, 2007

Ian McParland's first game in charge of Notts came in the derby in which Mansfield were comfortable and deserved victors.

Winners... Stags' unusual celebration

The travelling Notts faithful were left wondering what to expect from McParland's reign after a woeful performance in which a Michael Boulding brace put the Stags in control.

The build up couldn't have been more hectic from a Magpies perspective with McParland taking the hotseat just two days prior after Steve Thompson had been sacked on the Monday of the week following the 3-1 defeat to Bury.

Thompson's assistant John Gannon was supposed to be in charge for the trip to Field Mill, but in a U-turn John Armstrong-Holmes appointed the former playing hero, but an immediate reward wasn't granted.

McParland... Couldn't prevent woeful display

Notts started brightly enough with Lawrie Dudfield spinning Alex John-Baptiste and crossing for Andy Parkinson but the widemans effort was cleared and he should have done better.

The hosts had the best chance of the first ten minutes with Kevin Pilkington brilliantly denying Nathan Arnold during a quick Stags counter-attack, before Parkinson again should have done better after more good play by Dudfield.

Gary Silk did well to head clear a powerful Johnny Mullins effort, before Stephen Hunt brilliantly thwarted Matty Hamshaw.

In the second half it didn't take long for Boulding to put the then bottom of the table Town into the lead.

In the reverse fixture last term Austin McCann had infuriated Hamshaw by

Penalty... Boulding strikes home opener

playing a part in the Stags mans red card, but Hamshaw got one back on McCann by beating him and winning the penalty that Boulding converted on 55 minutes.

The Stags then resumed control for the rest of the match with McParland cutting a frsutrated figure on the touchline.

Poor defending between Hunt and Adam Tann allowed Boulding to pick up a loose ball and stroke home on 61.

He could have had a hat-trick but former Stags man Pilkington denied his goalbound header.

Last season at Meadow Lane

Notts County 0-0 Mansfield Town, Meadow Lane, March 10, 2007

Hunt... On route to disallowed goal

As usual in these games the Field Mill fixture is always the livelier affair and so it proved last season with this bore draw a damp encounter.

Both sides were fully committed but neither had the quality to provide a winner.

There were goals disallowed apiece with Hamshaw's for offside and Hunt for a foul, though both appeared harsh.

In front of over 10,000 fans, Notts perhaps just shaded it with former Stag Junior Mendes in good form - only to join Lincoln City on loan three days later!