Midfielder Neil MacKenzie popped up to earn Notts County a point in their opening-day encounter at Grimsby Town.

The Magpies started brightly but fell behind to a Ryan Bennett header after twelve minutes from a free-kick, but Notts fought hard and were level thanks to MacKenzie's low effort from range on the half-hour mark.

Both sides had their opportunities in an open second period, but neither side could find that elusive second goal to grab a first-day three points.

Steve Thompson had something of a selection headache such is the competition for places at Meadow Lane this season, and Paul Mayo got the nod ahead of Austin McCann at left-back while Jay Smith, so impressive last season, was named on the bench after missing the last two pre-season matches.

Missing through injury were Adam Tann, Myles Weston and long-term victim Mike Edwards, but Gary Silk, McCann, Smith, Sandercombe and Weir-Daley boosted Notts before kick-off by declaring themselves fit after illness and slight niggles.

It was Grimsby who kicked off the new season, but it was Notts who started with the first spell of pressure and forced an early corner which Mayo swung into the box, but the Mariners cleared.

Notts forced a number of early corners and the majority of the play was in the Mariners' half, but few chances were being created, but with their first effort on target it was the home side who took the lead. A free-kick deep into the Notts box from the left found the head of Ryan Bennett, and his low header was beyond the reach of Pilkington to set the home side off to the perfect start.

The home side continued to push after the goal and a ball across the six-yard box by Bolland almost provided that second goal the home side craved, but no-one was on hand to tap the ball home and Mayo cleared for Notts.

Mayo was having a good game at left-back and after making a fine block to deny Till Notts burst forward and onto the attack, and in a little area of space some twenty-five yards out Neil MacKenzie took his pre-season form, three goals in four games, into the new season with a cracking strike.

The debut-boy fired his effort across the turf and low beyond the reach of Barnes into the bottom corner; perhaps against the run of play but Notts were not complaining with his effort their first on target.

The rest of the half provided very few attempts on goal, with Toner coming closest for the home side but his right-foot effort brushed the side netting from all of twenty-five yards.

Half-Time: Grimsby Town 1-1 Notts County

Moments into the second-half Rankin almost found a way through the Notts defence for the home side, but Canoville and then Pilkington mopped up to make sure the home side didn't retake the lead.

Notts forced an early second-half corner after good link-up play by Butcher and Dudfield which was cleared, but moments later Butcher almost registered his first goal for Notts with a thunderous left-foot volley. Somner's chipped ball to Lee was chested into Butcher's path and his volley was palmed away by Barnes in the home goal.

A MacKenzie free-kick caused problems just before the hour as Lee headed back across goal, but before Canoville could pounce Whittle cleared for the home side as Notts pushed for a goal in front of their large travelling support.

Sam replaced Dudfield up front in a straight swap on 62 as Notts looked to add more pace and fresh options to the attack, and the Magpies looked more assured on the ball and were shutting out Grimsby's attacks and looking more of an attacking force. However sub almost put the Mariners back ahead with twenty minutes to go as he burst past Canoville, but Pilkington made a fine initial save and the Mayo cleared the frontman's second effort off the line to survive a real scare.

Butcher twice had a shot blocked with fifteen to go as both sides committed bodes forwards to grab a winner, while at the other end North beat Canoville for pace but weakly shot at Pilkington, as did Toner moments later after North again caused problems to Notts.

Weir-Daley and Smith were brought on for Butcher and Parkinson in the latter stages, although it was another sub Hector Sam who almost secured a Notts win late on with a neat run to get on the end of a Jason Lee pass, but inside the box he shot straight at Barnes.

Notts pushed with more corners late on and were certainly the stronger attacking options at their disposal, and the Magpie survived a late heart-in-the-mouth moment as Jones met a deep cross with a powerful header, but he was off target. With seconds left Grimsby again almost snatched a win with Jones and North two-on-one with only Mayo back, and somehow the Notts defender made a saving tackle.

In all, it a positive start to the season for the Magpies who showed in the second period their attacking abilities with the home side on the back foot, and although Steve Thompson will no doubt have seen some areas he will want to see improvements, he will have seen some positives too which Notts can build on.

Full Time: Grimsby Town 1-1 Notts County

Grimsby Town: Barnes, Bennett, Whittle, Fenton, Newey, Till (Bore 78), Boshell, Bolland, Hunt (Jones 68), Toner, Rankin (North 54).
Subs Not Used: Clarke, Montgomery,
Booked: None.
Sent Off: None.
Goals: Bennett (12).

Notts County: Pilkington, Silk, Mayo, Hunt, Canoville, Somner, Butcher (Smith 79), MacKenzie, Parkinson (Weir-Daley 79), Dudfield (Sam 62), Lee.
Subs Not Used: Sandercombe, McCann.
Booked: Lee.
Sent Off: None.
Goals: MacKenzie (29).

Match Referee: Mr M Thorpe

Attendance: 5,843 (1,266 Notts County Fans)

nottscountyfc.co.uk Man of the Match: Neil MacKenzie