In an extremely dull encounter, chances were few and far between for both sides. However, the two teams may both feel they could have won with Northampton's top marksmen, Scott McGleish completely missing the ball when presented with a gilt-edged oppurtunity late on.
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Notts manager Ian Richardson, as expected, kept the same side that beat Darlington on Saturday. However, the gaffer did make a change in formation - switching from the 3-5-2 that worked so well at the weekend to a more orthodox 4-4-2.
The only surprise was on the bench, where returning defender Julien Baudet was joined by THREE strikers - with wingers Tony Scully and Chris Palmer perhaps surprisingly both being ommited from the squad.
The game started at a fast pace that was certainly not a sign of things to come for the 4,600 or so spectators.
Most were still finding their seats when visiting forward Eric Sabin almost capatilised on an error from Saul Deeney in the very first minute, but the Magpies defence were eventually able to scramble the ball to safety.
Notts then found their feet, and a superb pass from Matty Gill gave David Pipe a good oppurtunity, but the Welshman fired his effort narrowly wide of the right-hand upright.
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Northampton, though, were to have the only other chances of the half when, first, former Mansfield midfielder Lee Williamson raced through on goal only to be denied by the smothering Deeney, before McGleish missed the best chance of the half when he powerfully headed wide an inswinging corner when a goal looked odds-on.
The crowd - bored to tears by a woeful first half - were then awoken by the sound of referee Mike Pike's half-time whistle.
Half Time: Notts County 0-0 Northampton Town
The second half was mildly better though, like the opening period, started well only to fade into relative obscurity. This could also be said of Notts, who had enjoyed their best moments in the first 15 minutes of either half.
Superb link-up play from Stallard sent strike partner Hurst free on the left-hand side of the box, but the returning hero then failed to fully connect to Hurst's cut back, slicing his effort towards team-mate Pipe who also failed to make contact with the ball.
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Richardson then made the first substitution of the game, somewhat strangely bringing on Baudet at the heart of the solid-looking Notts rearguard, taking off the steady Shane McFaul, and shifting Wilson to right back.
The unecessary change seemed to upset Notts' rhythm, with the previously solid defence being put on the back foot for much of the second half.
Notts' only hope for a goal appeared to lie with long-range shots from the off-colour Stefan Oakes. The former Leicester midfielder wasn't enjoying one of his better days, and it was reflected in his shots - which were wayward to say the least.
At least the 25-year-old was posing something of a threat though, which is more than could be said for some of his team-mates. Hurst was again poor, and was extremely lucky to be given the 90 minutes. Meanwhile, only Gill from the starting midfield quartet could feel really pleased with his performance.
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An extremely poor visiting side were now enjoying the better of the play, with McGleish missing an absolute sitter on 77 minutes.
Substitute Stuart Noble appeared to put the ball on a plate when he rolled the ball over to the prolific marksmen, but the former Colchester striker completely fluffed his lines and failed to make any real contact with the ball with the goal at his mercy.
There was still time for one half chance to fall to either side, with Stallard - later to be withdrawn with an ankle injury - weaving his way through to curl a left-footer into the arms of Lee Harper for Notts' only shot on target, while Martin Smith hit a fierce left foot drive at the other end that Deeney did well to save.
The Magpies had one final opening with substitute Gavin Gordon - on for Stallard - flicking the ball into the dangerzone, but the onrushing Gill was just not able to connect.
Full Time: Notts County 0-0 Northampton Town
A decent point won from Notts, but this was by no means a vintage performance. A solid defensive display fails to disguise what is yet another blank at the other end, where even the clever play from Stallard never looked likely to get The Magpies a goal.
In summary, a terrible game that neither side deserved to win and neither side looked like scoring. Certainly one best forgotten.
Match Ratings and reaction to follow.