Gary Mills was forced into two changes to the Notts starting line-up, with Paul Boertien recalled back to Derby and Stefan Oakes ruled out due to illness.
As a result, Simon Baldry came in for his first start since January 6th- with David Pipe moving back to right back, while Frazer McHugh came into midfield.
Notts started by far the superior of the two teams, with Ian Richardson and Paul Bolland both coming close for the visitors.
Richardson had headed over when well placed, but it didn't take captain fantastic long to make amends, as he headed the Magpies ahead on 12 minutes.
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Notts were looking to extend their lead even further when a neat short corner from Caskey found Baldry, who’s cross found Antoine-Curier in the area, but his header didn’t have enough on it and drifted harmlessly wide.
Then disaster struck when the Notts players froze as a penalty appeal was appealed for by the home fans and players, but EVANS was on hand to strike the loose ball past Stuart Garden from the edge of the area for an equaliser completely against the run of play.
The equaliser seemed to dent Notts’ confidence, but they came close to re-taking the lead when good one touch passing from Caskey, Antoine-Curier and Heffernan resulted in Heffernan shooting just over the bar from the edge of the area with a curling left-footed strike.
Heffernan should have got a penalty just a few minutes after he had appealed for one, but was penalised for handball. This time it was a blatant penalty as Sonko pushed Heffernan in the back, but the referee, Premiership official Peter Walton, amazingly waved play on.
The decision was to prove costly as on 40 minutes Brentford took the lead.
A free kick given away near the corner flag by Bolland resulted in the free kick being fired to the back post, every Notts player missed it, but HUTCHINSON didn’t as he exposed the poor defending by the Magpies to give the Bee’s the lead in the 40th minute.
Notts seemed rather relieved as the referee blew the whistle for half time, to end a first half that had promised so much, but delivered so little.
Half Time: Brentford FC 2-1 Notts County
Gary Mills must have had strong words with his team at half time, as the first chance of a slow-starting second half fell to Heffernan after good work and an even better cross from Baldry, but Heffernan’s free header from four yards somehow managed to clear the bar when the young Irishman really should have scored.
Brentford hit straight back with Garden producing a good save to deny Evans his second from the edge of the area, after the left winger had hit a mis-hit cross that threatened to tip under the crossbar.
Paul Bolland- again playing out of position on the left wing- then had a great chance to put Notts level but- when through on goal- his shot was comfartably saved by the Brentford 'keeper.
The next incident of the match was a weird one, a pass back resulted in an indirect free kick on the six-yard line, and Caskey was faced with all 11 Brentford players on the goal line. Caskey laid it off to Heffernan who’s shot somewhat dissapointingly flew over the bar.
With 65 minutes on the clock, Gary Mills decided it was time to make the games first change, bringing on Tony Scully for the woeful Frazer McHugh.
And just four minutes later, Steve Scoffham was given his big chance in League football, with the ineffective Mikael Antoine-Curier making way.
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There was only one winner now, with just over 20 minutes remaining, with Scoffham causing far more problems to Brentford then Antoine-Curier did while he was on the field.
With 10 minutes to go, Notts should have gone ahead as Scully was given the ball on the edge of the area by the excellent Pipe, but his shot was agonisingly wide with the goal at his mercy.
It took the much travelled winger just 2 minutes to make amends, however, as he fired home to spark wild celebrations among the travelling supporters.
Bolland played it wide to SCULLY who cleverly cut inside the full-back and he struck in the sweetest of strikes low to the goalies right for his first goal for the club.
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Brentford, in relegation trouble themselves, had nothing to lose now and heroic defending from Pipe saved Notts as the home side piled forward.
It was one of these attacks though, that could have given Notts a fourth as Heffernan led a counter attack, but our top scorer's shot was too close to the goalkeeper.
There was one last heart-in-mouth moment for the Magpies following as the excellent Rougier went on a run at the heart of the Notts defence, but for once, the travelling rearguard dealt with the threat well and the Frenchman could only deliver a pathetic dive at the end of it all.
Full Time: Brentford FC 2-3 Notts County
After the final whistle the delirious travelling fans were given a real treat, as Gary Mills- certainly the man of the moment after his excellent double substitution- led his players over to where the soaking supporters stood and the County heroes contrived to do 'Jurgen Klinsmann dives' along the wet floor.
The Great Escape is off and running!
Notts: Garden, Pipe, Fenton, Barras, Richardson, Baldry, Caskey, McHugh (Scully 65), Bolland, Antoine-Curier (Scoffham 69), Heffernan.
Not Used: Deeney, Baraclough, McGoldrick.
Attendance: 4,468