Match ratings v Darlington

It all seems so familiar to last year - Notts earning yet another clean sheet at home, but once again failing to register a single goal.

Both sides did come close, with the visitors hitting the woodwork twice and Michael Johnson rattling the bar for the Magpies.

Here are the ratings from the game…

Pilkington 7 - Pretty good from Pilkington, including one top drawer save to tip a shot onto the bar in the first half. Still looks shaky when dealing with crosses and coming out.

Woodwork: Johnson came closest for Notts with a header

Beardsley 7 - Another decent performance from the young Derby right back. Defended well all game against a decent Darlington forward line, especially Proudlock.

Johnson 8 - A showing that oozed class from Johnno. He seems to have time on the ball that the other Notts players just don't have, and looked completely untroubled throughout the 90 minutes.

Edwards 7 - A performance that sums up Mike Edwards. Nothing special, but he was in the right place at the right time, every time, to clear up and keep the ball away from the Notts goal.

Mayo 5 - After a better game against Doncaster, the unconfident, backing off Mayo who gives the ball away at will has resurfaced, and the winger had a field day against him for much of the match.

Hamshaw 6 - A quiet showing from the Notts winger, who struggled to get into the game. The odd run can't disguise that he went missing a bit today.

Butcher 6 - Battled as best he could in the middle of the park, and passed the ball around pretty well when he received. Unfortunately, he didn't bring his shooting boots with him today, as a couple of shots sailed into the stand.

Nowland 6 - Passed the ball around reasonably well, but we really miss Gavin Strachan in the centre to break up the opposition moves. Subbed for Mackenzie, and the midfield promptly fell apart.

Weston 7 - Another promising performance from Weston, who ran at his

Star man: Facey received NCM's man of the match award...

defenders, and produced the champagne moment for me with an outrageous piece of skill down the left in the second half which almost got Notts the winner.

Facey 8 - (STAR MAN) - Delroy looks fitter by the match, he really worked hard, got stuck in, laid the ball off time without number, won headers, and looks sharper with every game that he plays in. Yes, it was a shame he missed the open goal, but hopefully that first goal is just around the corner.

Forrester 6 - Looked desperately short of pace against Darlington today, and it almost looked as if he was uninterested. Received little service, but on the few occasions he got the ball he struggled. Subbed for Weir Daley.

Subs:
Mackenzie 6 - A luxury player, who gives the ball away too often, and almost cost Notts a goal in the closing stages by messing about instead of getting the ball down.

Weir Daley 6 - Not really enough time to impress. He had one good run but gave the ball away at the crucial point when Hamshaw was free down the right side.