Oxford battled well in defence, but they were often penned in their own half particularly in the first 45 minutes in which Notts began at break-neck speed.
Notts piled up five corners inside the first 15 minutes, while Oxford held firm and, when Notts finally got the ball into the net just after the half-hour mark it was controversially disallowed by referee Rob Lewis.
The danger arose from another Notts corner and, when the ball was knocked down to central defender Julien Baudet on the edge of the box, he volleyed into the roof of the net. In the build up, however, there had been a clash between Daniel Chillingworth and Christian Hargreaves which the referee ruled as a foul.
It left Hargreaves with a cut forehead to which heavy bandaging was applied before he could carry on.
After the break Oxford were livelier in attack but the first clear-cut chance fell to Notts. Chris Palmer, slightly at an angle, looked a certain scorer until Billy Turley achieved a superb block.
At the other end it was soon Kevin Pilkington's turn to shine. When midfielder Lee Mansell was put through the middle by Steve Basham, Pilkington rushed courageously off his goal line to take the ball off his foot.
Shortly afterwards Basham had a long range effort which Pilkington watched all the way and turned over the bar.
Notts added to their twin strike-force by bringing Andy White off the bench and he squandered the best opportunity off all. He scuffed his finishing effort which proved a tame one and easy for Turley to save.
Oxford looked well content with a point and the game lost much of its earlier sparkle in a dull final 15 minutes.