Richard Butcher's sensational volley earned Notts County a 1-1 draw at Macclesfield Town this afternoon; and the midfielder's eleventh of the season was a priceless one.

Macclesfield broke the deadlock on twenty-two minutes through IsakReid as he slotted home at the far post in the Silkmen's only real attack of the first period, while Notts saw chances come and go.

However, midway through the second period Notts drew themselves level through Butcher with a crashing volley from outside the box to earn Ian McParland's men a share of the spoils.

Ian McParland resisted temptation to hand Michael Johnson a start less than 24 hours after joining on loan from Derby County, so the Magpies took to the field with only one change to the side which was beaten by Bradford City last weekend - with Stephen Hunt back after injury and replacing the injured Lee Canoville.

Johnson was named on the bench as Notts aimed to add to Macclesfield's six straight home defeats and ensure Keith Alexander's first game as Notts boss did not start on a winning note.

On a windy afternoon in Cheshire Notts began brightly by taking the game to the Silkmen and forcing an early corner which Mike Edwards was almost on the end of but Brain in the Macclesfield goal was off his line quickly to punch clear in the six-yard box.

A number of fine runs down the left by Myles Weston gave Notts early hope as he used his pace and ability on the ball to get down the line and put the home side on the back foot with crosses into the area, but Notts weren't able to carve out any early chances from those fine runs.

Despite that early pressure, Notts fell behind on twenty-two minutes. Evans did well down the left for the Silkmen to create enough space to deliver a cross to the far post where winger Izak Reid in his orange boots was totally unmarked and he slammed the ball into the net, low beyond the reach of Hoult who was left stranded.

Notts did look to respond instantly by forcing two corners, and from one of those the Magpies were able to carve out a headed opportunity for Mike Edwards in the six-yard box but from Weston's chipped ball into the area he was unable to keep the ball down.

It was hard to believe Notts were behind having dominated large parts of the opening twenty-five minutes at Moss Rose, pinning the home defence back and putting a number of decent balls into the area to test the defence.

Paul Mayo had a chance to draw Notts level on the half hour as Jay Smith's neat ball in behind the Macclesfield backline picked out the left-back's burst forwards, but after taking a touch and advancing towards goal Brain was off his line quickly and blocked Mayo's shot with his legs. It was a terrific opportunity, and one Notts should have taken.

Crow attempted an audacious attempt soon afterwards on the volley from just outside the centre-circle with Brain off his line, but the on-loan striker could only find the stands while Butcher could only scuff an opportunity into the ground from Crow's pull-back.

Four minutes before the break Notts suffered another set-back as Myles Weston had to be replaced due to injury after an impressive display full of pace and skill. He seemed to pull up with a hamstring injury, and after treatment from John Haselden he could no longer continue and he was replaced by Michael Johnson with Mayo moving to left wing.

Half-Time: Macclesfield Town 1-0 Notts County

Macclesfield had the first chance of the second period a few minutes in, but Hoult was equal to Tolley's low free-kick diving to his right as Macclesfield aimed to extend their lead.

By the hour Notts were pushing to get back on level terms, and they should have done so through Mike Edwards as he was presented with a golden chance following a corner but from a few yards out he couldn't get his shot away and somehow Macclesfield goalkeeper Brain was able to clear.

Heads were in hands as Notts saw another opportunity go begging in a crucial game.

By the hour, McParland opted to make two attack-minded changes by bringing on Neil MacKenzir for Ali Gibb and Jason Lee for Stephen Hunt as Notts opted for a 4-3-3 formation in search of a goal.

And Notts got that goal on seventy-two minutes, and it was through a reliable source that they got back on level terms. A ball forwards fell kindly to leading scorer Richard Butcher twenty-five yards out, and he simply lashed the ball on the volley with his right foot and in the swirling wind the ball crashed into the back of the net.

It was a vital, vital goal - and certainly Butcher's best yet. His celebration, simple. He ran to the Notts dugout to get instructions as Notts looked to take all the points.

That goal sparked Notts into life as they piled on the pressure and pinned back the home side. The new formation was something Macclesfield couldn't cope with, and Paul Mayo found the side netting moments later at the far post on the volley while Butcher and Crow were unable to get shots away as the Magpies pushed forwards.

However, there were no further chances for either side - meaning both sides had to be content with a point.

When it really mattered, Notts stood up and were counted just as McParland had asked. Mike Edwards said before the game the first intention was not to lose here at Moss Rose, and that they didn't.

That was vital, and with a home double-header on the horizon in the next week Notts have a chance to gain some important points to climb away from danger.

Full Time: Macclesfield Town 1-1 Notts County

Macclesfield Town: Brain, Cresswell, Dimech, Brisley, I Reid, Tolley (C), Jennings, Ashton, Green, Symes, Evans (Onibuje 84).
Subs Not Used: Blackman, Edghill, L Reid, Millar.
Booked: Cresswell.
Sent Off: None.
Goals: I Reid (22).

Notts County: Hoult, Tann (C), Edwards, Hunt (Lee 64), Mayo, Gibb (MacKenzie 64), Butcher, Smith, Weston (Johnson 41), Jarvis, Crow.
Subs Not Used: Silk, Weir-Daley.
Booked: None.
Sent Off: None.
Goals: Butcher (72).

Match Referee: Mr D Drysdale

Attendance: 2,193 (559 Notts County Fans)

nottscountyfc.co.uk Man of the Match: Richard Butcher