If last season's 5-0 opening day drubbing was a sign for things to come, then today's 1-1 draw with newly-promoted Chester may point the finger towards a finish not so illustrious as many had predicted for the Magpies this season. Good enough to take something from the race, yet not good enough to get their noses right out in front. A telling analysis of today's clash.
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Mills was forced into picking a line-up arguably short of the squad's most illusive. Stefan Oakes and Chrissy Palmer both withdrawn from the Chester Tester after having fallen victim to injury in the latter stages of the club's pre-season preparations.
The impressive new-look of the squad had clearly infected the attitude, as the eleven men fielded for the contest displayed a work ethic which, with a few exceptions, had become almost alien at Meadow Lane in the past few seasons.
Notts chuntered onwards and upwards, showing no signs of any pre-season cobwebs, with efficency lathered all over the starting XI. Glynn Hurst twice showed why Mills chased the dynamic front-man's signature so attentively with two shots - both narrowly wide of the mark - giving Chester hearts good reason to flutter. Shots also showing, possibly, of why he took the step down in leagues.
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Ian Richardson was in stunning form as he went hot-on-the-heels of former Wolves man, Michael Branch down the line. Richo proving that the old legs still had a degree of mileage left to run, executing a perfectly timed tackle to hook the ball from Branch's feet.
Meanwhile, five minutes before the break, Hurst's strike partner, Gavin Gordon was looking to hold out his end of the bargain as his bustling figure carved out another save from Brown.
Chester, a relatively muted party in the 'match', were short of ideas and even when the hustle and bustle from a City corner obscured Mildenhall's view to the punch, play was pulled up frustratingly for a foul on the bean-pole Notts keeper.
Half Time: NOTTS COUNTY 0-0 Chester City
Notts continued their surge in a team that looked by-far the most competitive to be fielded in the past 18 or so months, every ball having ball being contested and every cause being chased with all the enthusiasm of a small child - hardly something you could compare this Notts side to, but fitting still. Their only criticism being the lack of conviction in the final-third.
Mike Edwards, bulky centre half-cum-trigger happy midfield maestro, had the audacity to hurl himself forward twice early in the second half, launching a volley way-wide on 46 minutes before latching onto a Baudet cross to head goalward. The latter having been saved by a obviously nervous, Wayne Brown.
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But City were to get their just-desserts minutes later when Wayne Brown charged through the back of Gavin Gordon in the box for the only outcome possible; penalty. The unlikely figure of Julian Baudet stepped up confidentally and stroked the penalty home in a way unfitting of his hefty frame yet all too typical of his continental roots, sending Brown the wrong way before celebrating jubiantly with team-mates.
The pressure was eased momentarily, Paul Bolland's shot, however, was less sigh of relief than grunt of disappointment as he spanked his effort wide.
Glynn Hurst, a busy character all afternoon, was replaced by youngster, Shaun Harrad - fresh from grabbing a brace in Bass Charity Vase win days earlier - up-front alongside Gavin Gordon with little short of 80 minutes gone.
Ten minutes to go, and Chester were hot under the collar, Daryl Clare relieving his sides frustration on 83 minutes, even more frustrating, however, would be the result of the block from Mike Whitlow as the ball struck his arm after Steve Mildenhall had flapped at a cross, blatantly misjudging the flight of the ball. Second penalty of the match, and Chester were in with a shout of claiming a late, late undeserved point.
Daryl Clare, usually Mr. Oh-So-Reliable for City, only managed to hit the ball straight at Mildenhall, County's Mr. Oh-So-Anything-But, who spilled the shot out for Kevin Rapely to smash across goal and Clare to wash away any embarassing signs of his miss.
So late on, Notts had failed to hold out and hence Chester, who did preicous little throughout the contest to suggest they were to come back, had snatched a point from the jaws of defeat. Notts, however, will be mourning the two-points they had stolen from the jaws of victory. Oh so different, yet all too familiar.
Full Time: NOTTS COUNTY 1-1 Chester City
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