The early exchanges were dominated by the Magpies, who were stroking the ball around defence and midfield without ever really threatening any sort of urgency or penetration. Brendan Moloney marauded forward and forced a corner which was well claimed by Artur Krysiak, whilst Guy Branston sliced his first clearance of the afternoon high into the Jimmy Sirrel stand. Notts continued to play infront of Burton, who were resolute and well organised, without ever getting in behind. Moloney was brought down by John McGrath, which allowed Jamie Clapham a strike at goal which hit the end of the Albion wall.
For the second time in a row, good work forced a corner but Notts made a complete mess of it by attempting an overly intricate routine each time, much to the annoyance of the Kop. Moloney was fouled again, this time by Shaun Harrad, to give Notts another dangerous free-kick which was again cleared. Karl Hawley was perhaps lucky to escape a booking after clattering Guy Branston well after the ball had gone. Any clattering of Branston is actively encouraged at Meadow Lane, however.
Burton finally showed some attacking intent on 23 minutes, having previously been content to let the Magpies pass the ball from flank to flank before trying something far too ambitious and losing it. Greg Pearson was released down the right by John McGrath and he took a touch before firing a shot at Kasper Schmeichel's near post, but the Dane was equal to it and tipped the effort round the post. This seemed to encourage the visitors and convince them but by attempting to attack then Albion could really make a game of this. They did just that.
Shaun Harrad got the ball under control in the box and spun well, forcing a superb save out of Kasper Schmeichel at his near post, while from the resulting corner Greg Pearson looked odds on to score at the far post when completely unmarked, but as he stabbed the ball goalwards, Johnnie Jackson appeared out of absolutely nowhere to block the ball away. Stephen Hunt had got a knock somewhere in the carnage and had to be replaced by Mike Edwards, to give Notts the defence they should've started the match with. Jamie Clapham ended the half by cutting inside and firing a right footed shot well over the bar.
Notts seemed to start the second half with more urgency and Ben Davies typified this down the right flank, with his hard work and quality on the ball lighting up an otherwise dull afternoon. He whipped in a ball to the far post that was inches away from connecting with the sliding Lee Hughes to give the Magpies the lead, although they didn't have to wait long to get infront. Jamie Clapham floated a wonderful pass over the static Burton Albion defence who were all appealing for offside. It wasn't though, with Guy Branston too deep and playing Hawley onside. The Notts forward still had it all to do but calmly took the ball and chipped a delicated lob over Krysiak and into the far corner to get his second Magpies goal and give Notts a thoroughly undeserved lead.
This seemed to wake Notts up though and at long last the next 25 minutes or so were a joy to watch. Ben Davies was pulling the strings down the right flank and a dangerous corner was half cleared by Krysiak who appeared to blame Lee Hughes for his inability to catch a football. Karl Hawley, who was now in the mood for goals, burst inside onto his left foot and fired a shot that clipped off Ryan Austin and squirmed narrowly wide of the far post. Matt Ritchie was brought on for his debut after joining from Portsmouth in midweek, replacing Ricky Ravenhill.
Notts were now all over their visitors, but Burton did give Notts a warning sign when Russ Penn cut inside and fired a shot at goal which was well tipped over the bar by Kasper Schmeichel. Davies once again got on the ball and a pin point through ball put Brendan Moloney away and his fired cross caused chaos in the Burton box, before the ref pulled play back for an off-the-ball foul which gave Notts a free-kick 25 yards out. Johnnie Jackson lined this one up and was inches away from making the game safe, with his measured effort cannoning back off the bar and away. Hitting the bar from free-kicks is almost becoming expected from the Magpies now, such is the frequency with which the crossbar seems to attract our set piece efforts!
Ritchie had a chance to showcase his talents soon after, dancing past a couple of changes and forcing the ball into the box, but Lee Hughes' snapshot on the turn fizzed narrowly wide of the far post. Jamie Clapham then left Andrew Corbett red faced down the Burton right as he teased the full back before cleverly nutmegging him and pulling the ball back to Karl Hawley, who looked certain to score from 8 yards. His shot was desperately blocked by the Albion defence though and squirmed away for yet another Notts corner.
However, Brewers manager Paul Peschisolido had one final ace up his sleeve in the form of experienced striker Richard Walker. He came on for the hard working but ineffective Shaun Harrad and within five minutes had Burton level. Notts failed to clear the ball after a corner and a clever ball through put Walker one-on-one with John Thompson, allowing him to cut inside the Notts captain and unleash an unstoppable drive past Kasper Schmeichel to send the 1,200 away fans barmy. Burton were now buoyant and came inches from winning it, impressive substitute Jacques Maghoma skipped away from a couple of challenges and sent a low shot skidding along the surface and off the inside of the post and away. It was a real let off for the Magpies who huffed and puffed towards the end but failed to create anything clear cut to get their lead back.
So, a draw at home to Burton Albion has to go down as disappointing. A lack of pace in midfield was extremely apparent and Notts looked an infinitely better side once Johnnie Jackson was moved ot the centre of midfield and Matt Ritchie given a run out on the left flank. Notts must line up like that against Northampton Town next week. The decision to leave out Mike Edwards was also baffling. For twenty five minutes Notts were superb and had Burton on the rack, but for the rest of the game they were either unpenetrative or being given the run around themselves. Burton came to Meadow Lane and got a point simply through being well organised and working hard, something the majority of League Two sides will be. Notts need to be able to get past that and quickly, with another home game coming up next Saturday.
Notts County - Schmeichel, Moloney, Thompson, Hunt, Clapham, Davies, Ravenhill (Ritchie), Bishop, Jackson, Hughes, Hawley
Notts County 1 (Hawley '54)
Burton Albion 1 (Walker '84)
Attendance - 8,891 (1,258)