Notts County's season ended in the exact same way in began nine months ago - a 1-1 draw away from home - as the Magpies battled out a draw at Chesterfield this afternoon.

Russell Hoult was in fine form in the Magpies goal in the first period, pulling off a number of fine stops before striker Spencer Weir-Daley opened the scoring for the Magpies in the final minute of the half from close range.

Jack Lester drew the home side level just before the hour mark from close range as both sides had to settle for a final-day point.

The Magpies made a number of changes from the side which defeated Wycombe a week ago, with Lee Canoville, Adam Tann and Stephen Hunt all ruled out due to injury while Danny Crow was rested and Ryan Jarvis was not able to feature as his loan spell from Norwich expired yesterday - although he still travelled with the team, as did Tann and Hunt to lend their support.

Kevin Pilkington was back on the bench after two months out injured with a fractured fibula, while Spencer Weir-Daley, Gary Silk, Paul Mayo and Wayne Corden were handed starts at Saltergate.

The Magpies fans behind the goal in the Cross Street Terrace and also in the seating area at Saltergate were in party mood after the Magpies secured League Two safety last weekend, but their party mood was almost dampened in the early stages as Chesterfield worked their way through the Magpies defence to open the door for Captain Peter Leven to shoot powerfully at goal from ten yards out, but experienced goalkeeper Russell Hoult made a point-blank save.

He made another stop on seventeen minutes to tip a shot around the post from the very same player after a short free-kick allowed the Spireties midfielder to advance forwards and shoot from twenty-five yards out, while at the other end Jason Lee side-footed straight at Roche in the Chesterfield goal from sixteen yards with Notts' first attempt.

Hoult was called into further action before the half-hour as he made stops from Lester and Downes, again at point-blank range as the home side continued to have the upper hand and enjoy more of the game on a superb playing surface.

Magpies centre-back Mike Edwards cleared off the line just before the interval with Hoult beaten by Ward's overhead-kick after coming off his line and being unable to win the ball, but Edwards was back on the line to save the day and head clear.

But, after riding plenty of pressure it was the Magpies who put the ball in the back of the net in the final minute of the half, through striker Spencer Weir-Daley. The 22-year-old latched onto Neil MacKenzie's ball in behind the Chesterfield defence, and took advantage of some less than impressive defending between Kovacs and goalkeeper Roche to simply take the ball past the goalkeeper and roll the ball into the empty net for his third of the season.

Despite scoring in the final minute of the half Notts had to continue to defend resolutely with Hoult denying Ward by palming his shot out, while Johnson threw his body in the way of Lloyd Kerry's goalbound shot in the two minutes of added time to ensure Notts went into the half-time interval in the lead.

Half-Time: Chesterfield 0-1 Notts County

The Magpies began the second half in impressive form with Weir-Daley's pace putting the home side on the back foot, but he couldn't add to his tally as he blazed over from just inside the box while Roche had to tip a Richard Butcher rocket over the crossbar.

Jamie Ward's deflected effort into the arms of Hoult ten minutes into the half was the first assault the home side could launch on the Magpies goal, but on the hour they were on level terms as Jack Lester notched his twenty-seventh goal of the season from inside the six yard box. He controlled a ball into the area neatly and held off the attentions of Michael Johnson to calmly slot the ball past Hoult.

Andy Parkinson replaced Wayne Corden soon afterwards as Notts made their first change of the day, and Notts almost quickly re-took the lead but after some fine wing-play by Myles Weston Weir-Daley volleyed just wide after connecting to the youngster's cross quite cleanly.

Lloyd Kerry thundered a shot off the Magpies crossbar as the game approached the final fifteen minutes with Hoult beaten all ends up by the midfielder's left-foot strike, while at the other end Myles Weston was inches away from bagging his first Notts goal but his shot from outside the box whistled just wide.

Lawrie Dudfield replaced Jason Lee in attack for the final fifteen minutes, while Danny Crow followed in place of Spencer Weir-Daley - but no real clear-cut chances followed as the game ended all-square with Hoult having to make a routine stop from Ward two minutes from time.

So as the Referee Mr Mathieson blew the final whistle the curtain came down on another campaign, and the preparations for next season can get in full swing.

Ultimately it was a frustrating campaign which promised better, but there have been a number of positives at the end of this year which ensure Notts go into next season with renewed hope - starting with the home fans in the Kop Stand, the home form towards the end of the season and the plans Ian McParland has in place looking to the future.

This season couldn't end without a tribute to the fans - who have once again been superb, sticking with the team through thick and thin. Thanks for your support on behalf of everyone at Meadow Lane, and we look forward to seeing you next season.

Full Time: Chesterfield 1-1 Notts County

Chesterfield: Roche, Picken, Hartley, Kovacs (Dowson 79), Downes, Owens (Algar 60), Lowry, Kerry, Leven (C) (Winter 74), Ward, Lester.
Subs Not Used: Annerson, Niven.
Booked: None.
Sent Off: None.
Goals: Lester (59).

Notts County: Hoult, Silk, Edwards (C), Johnson, Mayo, Corden (Parkinson 66), Butcher, MacKenzie, Weston, Lee (Dudfield 77), Weir-Daley.
Subs Not Used: Pilkington, Crow, McCann.
Booked: None.
Sent Off: None.
Goals: Weir-Daley (45).

Match Referee: Mr S Mathieson

Attendance: 4,477 (1,228 Notts County Fans)

nottscountyfc.co.uk Man of the Match: Myles Weston