Two second half goals akin to the ones conceded in the recent defeat at Peterborough saw Notts collapse today at the Memorial Stadium.
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After announcing his excitement at bringing in three new players in the week, Notts fans were surprised at Steve Thompson's decision to leave Miles Weston and James Walker on the bench, and third signing Michael Byron not making the squad.
Instead, Thompson elected to make just two changes to his starting eleven after a 0-0 draw at home to Mansfield last Saturday made it just one win in nine. Junior Mendes, starting at Lincoln City, was the obvious casualty after his move there earlier in the week, Gary Silk replacing him allowing David Pipe to move into midfield. The second change saw Ian Ross dropped in favour of Tcham N'Toya who started only his second league game up front with Andy Parkinson back on the left-wing.
Rovers selected a patched up side courtesy of poor form and a spate of injuries. The big surprise was that 16-goal top scorer Richard Walker was only on the bench.
Notts were given an early scare when defenders Alan White and Stephen Hunt allowed Rickie Lambert an early chance as he charged through the middle. Notts goalkeeper Saul Deeney rushed out early, giving Lambert an oppurtunity to shoot but he finished poorly.
White again failed to clear his lines, missing a header which allowed Lambert to release Haldane down the right hand side. Had the ball been executed better Haldane may have troubled Notts, but Lambert pushed him wider than he would have liked, meaning the end product lacked any bite.
Indeed, the end product appeared to be the one thing lacking for Rovers and Haldane in particular, White doing well to block a good through ball that seemed destined to allow Lambert a clear chance on goal.
Despite the early dominance of the hosts, Notts earned the first corner on the tenth minute. Jay Smith flighted it in only to see N'Toya lose possession and Rovers break well. Nicholson darted into the box, where Austin McCann shielded him to clear his lines, Nicholson going down, but far too easily for the referees liking.
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Haldane, scorer of Rovers' winner in their 2-1 win at Meadow Lane in October, again attempted a shot, this one saved comfortably by Deeney.
Notts' first oppurtunity came on the 18th minute as Smith drove a low shot from the edge of the area which Rovers goalkeeper Steve Phillips could only parry towards an onrushing N'Toya who got a touch to the ball before Phillips recovered rather fortunately. As N'Toya fell to the ground, referee M Thorpe appeared to think about a possible penalty before deciding better as several Notts players failed to appeal.
Haldane again attempted a shot from a decent position around the Notts goal, but as with most of the Pirates' early efforts, it again whistled wide. For all their possession, Rovers were letting Notts off the hook with a series of poor finishing.
N'Toya appeared Notts' best outlet, given his chance as a starter courtesy of some impressive substitute displays. He robbed Sam Oji of possession before starting a run that promised much but dwindled out as a lack of support forced him wide.
Parkinson, surely pressured by the arrival of left-winger Miles Weston, finally got himself into the game after half an hour, drilling a shot at goal which Phillips saved comfortably. It was Notts' first real attempt at Phillips' target. N'Toya then pounced after Phillips' poor clearance saw Parkinson find the former Chesterfield man but his shot was wild and off target.
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Deeney had the visiting supports hearts in their mouth when a pass back to him bobbled up his foot forcing a poor clearance. Luckily McCann was on hand to beat off any danger.
On 36 minutes the first moment of controversy occurred when a pass back to Phillips saw the goalkeeper handle it wide. It was a clear pass back and Notts should have been given a free-kick in the box, instead the referee gave a corner, which came to nothing. This was the turning point in White's eyes.
The best chance of the game up to this point predictably fell to the Pirates, Nicholson finding space in the box before turning and firing narrowly over the bar from just 8-yards out.
After 42 minutes, Deeney redeemed earlier worries sharply racing from his line to thwart a one-on-one situation, diving at the feet of Haldane to rescue a lacklustre Magpies back four who again allowed a striker to race through.
Notts ended the half better, with Mike Edwards, again in his unpreferred midfield role winning the ball as he had done consistently in the half, and finding Smith in good space, though his attempted chip went horribly wide of Phillips' post and bar in stoppage time.
Neither side made a change at half-time, the only difference being that Rovers didn't begin in attacking fashion, instead the game appeared deadlocked at 0-0, with very little action in the early stages of the second half.
When the action began though, Rovers were the benefactors, taking the lead through Nicholson on the 53rd minute. It was supplied by danger man Haldane who fed Nicholson well and he neatly finished leaving Deeney with no chance.
Notts created their best chance of the game after 59 minutes, following their fourth corner of the game - Rovers had none at this point. McCann swung it in and Smith guided it towards goal, and with a melee ensuing N'Toya rose high to head towards the goal but just wide.
Parkinson then fashioned an opening for the ineffective Lawrie Dudfield, but he failed to hit the ball cleanly.
Such was Rovers' confidence, they appeared satisfied with just the one goal advantage, and why not considering Notts had scored just three times in six games prior to this… two coming in the draw with MK Dons. How Notts were missing top goalscorer Jason Lee who completed his three match ban for 15 bookings today.
The points were tied up on 72 minutes for Rovers, Nicholson again with the strike as a speculative ball caused panic in the shocking Notts rearguard, allowing the West Brom loanee a clear run at goal that he finished early on the volley as Deeney scrambled to get into position, to no avail.
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The swirling winds in the West Country were doing little for Notts' attempts to get back into the game, not that they were giving themselves any favours with McCann missing a good headed chance.
That was the last oppurtunity of the game for either side, meaning Rovers saw out a double over Notts, and deservedly so on the balance of proceedings today.
It leaves Notts with just one win in 10, just three goals in seven games and just 12 points off a relegation place - with second bottom Wrexham having a game in hand and Notts on the exact same number of points as they were at this stage last season which ended with a final day draw just keeping them in League 2.
The fans appear united in their belief that the management team are at fault for another alarming demise, with another tough looking encounter at Bury just around the corner.