The best of which for the home side fell within two second half minutes as Paul Heffernan's penalty was easily saved, and Mikael Antoine-Curier fired wide when clean through just a minute later.
Gary Mills was to go into the match with no worries on the injury-front as both Ian Richardson and Mickael Antoine-Curier recovered from knocks picked up during mid-week to be named once more in an unchanged line-up.
The reverse was so for Plymouth - not that the manager would be injury-free, but that the players would be manager less as Paul Sturrock, who departed for Southampton earlier this week, left behind a Plymouth side that look a dead-cert for promotion and a real possibility to run-out league winners.
By kick-off, however, all seemed totally irrelevant as sets of players had eyes only for one thing: three points to continue their hard-nosed run of form.
Argyle, very-much looking to put Notts out-of-sight and out-of-mind early on, had an early chance to take the lead with less than 100 seconds on the clock. An out swinging Ian Stonebridge corner was met by Frenchman, David Friio who could only glance his header over the bar.
Stuart Garden, still deputising for the injured Mildenhall, was given a chance to test his grip early-on when Hasney Aljofree came knocking, but Garden prevailed with a decent save.
Plymouth’s Steve Adams was then guilty of some criminal finishing, driving his shot way over the Scotsman’s bar and high into the Family Stand.
The Magpies then put together their first chance of the afternoon when a deep cross to the far post found Ian Richardson - who headed the ball well wide on 17 minutes.
Notts then found their way with the creative attributes of Stefan Oakes - continuing his good start for the club - at the heart of a move. However, nothing materialised.
The home side were holding their own against the league leaders, but, despite some outstanding passes from Oakes & midfield partner Darren Caskey, were struggling to break down Argyle's strong rearguard
With 25 minutes gone, a trigger-happy Paul Heffernan had the chance to continue his admirable goal-scoring form - only to sting the palms of Plymouth ‘keeper, Luke McCormick. Oakes soon followed suit, only for McCormick to come out on top once again to keep the game tied.
Stuart Garden then used his agility and initiative to superbly tip-over a header from Dave Norris shortly after the half-hour mark. This coming before two slightly less-challenging shots from Norris and Adams, respectively. Both of which were well wide of the mark.
Extremely inconsistent referee Neil Miller then brought an end to an extremely even first period, but one that Plymouth had enjoyed the better chances.
Half Time: NOTTS COUNTY 0-0 Plymouth Argyle
The second half was played at a much quicker pace, with both sides commiting far more men forward than had been the case in the first period.
Apart from a few panicky clearences from Notts, the first real goal mouth action came on 53 minutes when veteran striker Micky Evans headed Marino Keith's cross over the bar and into the Plymouth travelling support, fantastic through-out, behind that goal.
With 57 minutes gone, though, it was Notts who had the best chance of the game so far.
Stefan Oakes' ball over the top sent through Paul Heffernan, previously shackled and looking suspiciously offside, who raced through on goal. Only one outcome beckoned it seemed, but Heff took one touch too many and Plymouth defender Graham Coughlan flung himself full length to block the Irishman's goal-bound shot.
Oakes had a decent chance two minutes later but, central to goal and just 16 yards out, the ball unfortunately dropped on the ex Leicester man's RIGHT foot, meaning the ball was blazed over the crossbar.
Plymouth, though, were as much, if not more so, in the game as Notts and they had two good chances within a minute to break the deadlock.
First, nippy winger David Norris had a volley well saved by the excellent Garden and then the visitors were denied by a wonderful tackle by Tony Barras, who injured himself in the process.
David Friio, typical of Plymouth's overly physical play throughout the afternoon, blazed a shot over the crossbar before a bizarre incident turned the game on its head.
David Pipe's throw-in seemed harmless enough but, with no Notts player in sight, the ball appeared to bouce up and hit Argyle full back Peter Gilbert on the arm. From where I was, the decision looked debatable at best, but the lack of appeal from the players could tell its own story. Whether the offence took place inside the penalty area is also another talking point.
Paul Heffernan, the man of the moment, cooly stepped up but his weak effort was easily saved by Plymouth's teenage stopper Luke McCormick to the dismay of the home support.
To further upset the Magpie faithful, Notts missed another sitter just a minute later.
Frenchman Mikael-Antoine Curier received a lucky break to put him clean through and his first touch could not have been better but unfortunately, his finish snook just wide of the left hand post with the 'keeper beaten. Poor old Antoine- he really did look like he was going to cry.
Just three minutes later, with 20 minutes remaining, Antoine-Curier, who was hard working but ultiimately ineffective, was withdrawn for new fan favourite- Steve Scoffham.
Richardson made a rare mistake as he lost the ball in midfield, but Marino Keith held on to the ball too long and when the Scot eventually did shoot his left footer flashed wide.
Keith was then booked for a scandalous tackle on Fenton, about 20 minutes late at the last count, which left the Notts centre back- again excellent- needing treatment to an injured knee.
Notts continued to apply fleeting pressure, odd corners here and there, but nothing concrete as the fast paced game remained goal less.
A little over ten minutes remaining now, and Steve Scoffham became the first Notts player to enter the referee's notebook after flying in a tad late on the big centre half.
Gary 'God' Mills then decided on his second change of the afternoon; taking off Simon Baldry, who had a good first half but faded badly in the second, for the match winning hero a week ago at Brentford, Tony Scully.
Scully clearly needed no time to settle as he struck a sweet 25-yard left footed shot that flew narrowly over the crossbar.
Notts' fans breathed a huge sigh of relief with 8 minutes remaining as Blair Sturrock, no doubt Southampton bound in the near future, reacted on a block after Stefan Oakes had been caught dallying on the ball in his own area to slot the ball past Garden.
Fortunately though, the goal was ruled out for offside. Nice Linesman.
Fenton was withdrawn with 6 minutes remaining to be replaced by the returning Ian Baraclough, who has been out of favour in recent weeks.
Bolland, commited as ever on the left, was booked for throwing the ball 'heavilly' before Caskey wasted a late corner.
The home support was treated to a nervy ending as Stuart Garden was struggling with a back injury that could rule him out of next week and Plymouth set to snatch a late winner but the Orangemen couldn't hit the target as the game drew to a close.
Full Time: Notts County 0-0 Plymouth Argyle
A solid display by Notts and a hard-earned point. The fact that most fans will have been dissapointed with just the one point against the league leaders shows just how far we've come recently under Gary Mills.
Match Ratings to follow.
Notts: Garden, Pipe, Fenton (Baraclough 84), Barras, Richardson, Baldry (Scully 77), Caskey, Oakes, Bolland, Antoine-Curier (Scoffham 70), Heffernan.
Not Used: Deeney, McHugh.