Ian McParland may have welcomed Championship opposition but he still made four changes to his Notts County side despite their opening day 5-0 win against Bradford City.
Last season the Magpies shocked Doncaster by claiming a 1-0 Carling Cup first round win but there was to be no repeat for Notts County as James Coppinger did the damage.
Hat-trick hero Lee Hughes was dropped to the bench for Notts County as the League Two side made it very clear that their primary objective this season is promotion and not a Carling Cup run.
Since former England boss Sven Goran Eriksson's arrival at Notts County, speculation surrounding big-name arrivals refuses to go away.
In recent days, talk at Meadow Lane has been all about the possible arrival of one-time England and Arsenal defender Sol Campbell, while the club has also been linked with a player-coaching offer for former German international Dietmar Hamann.
But it was former Ipswich defender Jamie Clapham who caught the eye for Notts County during the first-half – hitting the bar and the post as Eriksson's men wasted an avalanche of first-half chances.
Clapham's inability to produce the goods in front of goal continued after the break as he stung the goalkeeper's fingertips with a free-kick.
But minutes later against the run of play James Coppinger on his left foot lashed home past Russell Hoult on 53 minutes.
Lewis Guy could have added a second on 59 minutes but this time Hoult was on hand to push his effort around the post.
The introduction of Hughes on 54 minutes saw Notts County visibly lifted and the former Oldham striker immediately made an impact.
He was frustrated in the final quarter as he saw an effort go agonisingly wide, while Ben Smith saved superbly late on from Hughes and Craig Westcarr.