N'Toya, making only his third league start of the season, struck following a Matt Somner knock down from Ian Ross' corner to decide a scrappy encounter between the league's two most out of form sides.
Under pressure Notts boss Steve Thompson shook things up for the game with the Shakers, reverting to an attack-minded 4-3-3 formation with the return of Jason Lee utmost in his thoughts.
Kevin Pilkington earnt a recall in goal at the expense of Saul Deeney whilst Alan White's departure to Peterborough allowed Mike Edwards a return to defence and Matt Somner a return in midfield. Also back in were Ian Ross for Jay Smith and Gary Silk for Andy Parkinson. Smith wasn't even in the squad whilst all three new loan signings again didn't start, Miles Weston and Michael Byron on the bench and striker James Walker another not in Thompson's sixteen.
Bury named former Notts striker Glynn Hurst in their starting eleven. Hurst netted a hat-trick for the Magpies in this fixture last season, and would surely be the Shakers' main threat today.
Notts were put under pressure early on, with Bury danger man Thomas Kennedy whipping a testing ball in from the left hand side. Mike Edwards was there at his usual position of centre half to clear the Magpies lines.
Notts had their first corner of the game, which was excellently placed in by Ross. The chance fell to Silk at the edge of the box, who lashed wide.
Another telling ball from Ross again tested the Bury defence. Jason Lee headed just over from a precise direct free-kick from their own half.
An encouraging start for the Magpies, saw the front three press the Bury back-line well. A positive move from Thommo showed it rewards in the opening ten minutes for the visitors.
Hurst drilled a low shot in after a Jason Kennedy corner, but Lee defended well, putting his body on the line to block the effort.
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Andy Warrington in the Bury goal easily collected a tame Tcham N'Toya strike after 29 minutes.
Bury debutant William Mocquet forced Pilkington into the games best save on the half hour mark. In his attempts to prove why he is number one at the club, Pilkington expertly tipped Mocquet's right-footed effort wide for Bury's third corner of the game.
They quickly earnt their fourth but that came to nothing.
With news filtering through that the League Two encounter at Edgeley Park was at Stockport County 2-4 Rochdale after just 35 minutes, it highlighted how poor this game actually was.
However, Notts sprang into life with N'Toya forcing a corner in front of the 281 travelling support from Nottingham. Those fans were to be celebrating from the resulting flag kick as Ross flighted it well and Somner headed goalwards allowing N'Toya to stab home for his first league goal for Notts and only his second in the black and white. His last strike came in the far more glamorous surroundings of Middlesbrough's Riverside Stadium. It was also Notts' first goal since Stephen Hunt's at home to MK Dons four games ago.
That goal was enough to see Notts go into the break with the lead against a side without a win since before Christmas.
Shortly after half-time the lively N'Toya was at it again, but this time his inconsistent shooting saw another tame shot fail to trouble Warrington.
Bury's on loan Sunderland man Mocquet, who was lively all game, then attempted a shot at goal that was rather wild this time, sailing easily over Pilkington's bar.
The game was in danger of petering out into a nothing affair with neither side getting hold of the ball and playing good football and a clear lack of chances in the second half.
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On 68 minutes Lee hit a good right-footed volley which Warrington did well to turn around his post.
Andy Bishop then attempted to get on the end of one of Dave Challinor's long throws but failed as his miserable afternoon continued.
Pilkington then thwarted Bury again with a solid save after 75 minutes.
With ten minutes remaining the games only goalscorer N'Toya was replaced by Andy Parkinson, Notts shoring up to 4-4-2 to try and see out what would be there first victory in eight games.
Silk attempted from the edge of the area for Notts following a Ross corner, but that blazed over the bar.
Dan Martin replaced Ian Ross in Notts' second change of the day before his fellow substitute Parkinson weaved his way through the shaky Shakers backline before he failed to apply the finishing touch the move deserved.
It didn't matter though as the Magpies saw out the game in front of an attendance of 2,310 to pick up a deserved three points despite the game never looking much of a spectacle.