Billy Dearden has been under close scrutiny in recent weeks following his decision to seldom include the young-blood at 
With the Magpies club officials only deciding to open the Main Stand to Notts fans and the Kop end to the travelling Barnsley faithful, it means that the atmosphere was buzzing in the respective stands with quality proving the dominant factor over quantity – to good effect as only little over one thousand fans attended the LDV Vans trophy first round fixture.
The opening 20 minutes was a scrappy affair with both teams playing fairly uninspiring football as the trademark Second Division punt-up-field-tactic proved to be the chosen style of play.
Both the Magpies and the Tykes seemed clearly to have had a weakened line-up compared to their league equivalents, gave possession away far too generously for my liking as neither side could register a serious shot-on-target.
But when the first blood was drew, it inevitably came from energetic striker, Paul Heffernan after rifling a quick shot towards goal from a Tony Hackworth pass following some a delightful through-ball from young central-midfielder, Shane McFaul.
This illusive first effort of the night proved to be catalyst for the Magpies as they started to press the Tykes back into their own half, earning themselves four corners before the 35th minute mark.
As temperatures continued to drop at Meadow Lane, so did the atmosphere, the fourth official signalled 2 further minutes of stoppage time – which saw Barnsley claim their third half-chance [and I stress they all were HALF chances] of the evening.
HALF TIME: NOTTS COUNTY 0-0 Barnsley
After being somewhat muted during the first-half of the game, Barnsley forced the game back to the ‘Pies as they held County well inside their own half of the field – only to be held at bay by some resolute defending from the ever-reliable, Nicky Fenton.
Although, Fenton’s evening could so have came to an unfortunate premature end when he went down uncomfortably during a chase for the ball – an incident which saw many County players waving frantically for physio, Roger Cleary onto the field. Thankfully however, the impressive centre-half dusted himself down, picked himself up and was straight back into the field of play to see ‘keeper, Steve Mildenhall make an outstanding save to deny Barnsley the opener.
On his first return to Meadow Lane since being released by Billy Dearden during the summer, Craig Ireland was handed the captain’s arm-band as the first-pick skipper was removed from the action in a double substitution by the Tykes.
The former Notts defender was soon to come to grips with his replacement [if-you-will], Tony Barras when he was introduced in place of Nicky Fenton who was showing the obvious signs of discomfort after picking up a slight knock at the top of his left leg.
Paul Heffernan was once more in on goal after little over 50 minutes when he turned in the area – only to be cut out by Sasa Ilic in between the Barnsley sticks.
Shane McFaul soon gave way for Ian Baraclough after putting in a performance of up-and-down jobs on the left side.
Shortly after the 80th minute, Steve Mildenhall was once more called upon as he saved the Magpie’s blushes as he parried away a shot from an oncoming Barnsley player. Shortly after, Kevin Betsy found himself in space as he progressed into the Notts penalty area before he fired wide of the mark.
Prior to Kevin Nicholson giving the ball away in what looked to be a promising attack, Paul Heffernan rose above the pack to power a header into the grateful arms of Barnsley goalkeeper, Sasa Ilic.
As the game drew to a close, the Magpies defence showed instances reminiscent of the respective fixture earlier in the season at the Oakwell when Tony Barras was again involved in a mix-up at the back when the ball cannoned off his head, against Steve Mildenhall in goal before Michael Brough managed to hoof the ball clear of danger.
FULL TIME: NOTTS COUNTY 0-0 Barnsley
Notts became acquainted with the silver goal ruling for the second time in it’s debut season following that memorable night at Deepdale – which consequently lead to the penalty shoot-out in which Steve Mildenhall proved himself the hero after saving that decisive penalty from Preston mark-man, Ricardo Fuller.
The first period of extra-time would have been pass seemingly un-noticed albeit for the crippling chill and a Steve Jenkins tackle that forced Barnsley to change their plan-of-attack.
The same sloppy style of play seemed endless as the ball lurched sluggishly to-and-fro as the game slumped slowly through the one-and-only minute of stoppages at the end of the first half of extra time.
FIRST HALF OF EXTRA-TIME: NOTTS COUNTY 0-0 Barnsley
With the game now looking to go the whole-nine-yards, Steve Mildenhall AGAIN stepped in as he turned a 35-yard-plus shot from Barnsley’s Anthony Kay.
Michael Brough, after turning out for his first start in a month, was replaced to quite a reception from the Notts crowd as he was removed to be replaced by Darren Caskey.
This was presumably because Caskey can take a mean penalty, or it could have been becuase Brough was struggling with fitness.
Tony Barras soon found himself a an effort from range – only to see it fired wide of Sasa Ilic’s stick.
END OF EXTRA TIME: NOTTS COUNTY 0-0 Barnsley
Penalty Shoot-Out
Here's how the evening turned out - painful reading, I know.