Spencer Weir-Daley's first-half strike earned Notts County a 1-1 draw at Rotherham United this afternoon, with the striker and the Magpies putting in an impressive performance which saw Notts come back from falling behind in the early stages of the game.
An action-packed first-half began with the home side taking the lead through Peter Holmes' long-range drive as the home side put the early pressure on, but Notts responded well and the lively Spencer Weir-Daley went close on three occasions before drawing Notts level before the half-time interval with a cool finish after a mistake at the back by the home side - his first goal since his summer move from Forest.
Before the break he could have put Notts ahead, but he was twice denied by Warrington in an very impressive first-half performance from Notts and their striker, and although he was more closely marked in the second period he was still Notts' main threat and came close to giving Notts the lead ten minutes from time with a smart turn and shot in a tight second period.
Notts' starting line-up had just one change to the side which started against Dagenham last Saturday with Neil MacKenzie, who scored the winner against the Daggers, recalled to the midfield in place of the injured Jay Smith. One boost for Notts was the return of Andy Parkinson from his medial ligament injury, who took his place on the bench.
After a quiet opening five minutes the home side began to put the early pressure on, and after seven minutes a stunning effort by Peter Holmes gave the Millers the lead. He picked the ball up some twenty-five yards out in bags of room, and he simply put the ball on his left-foot and drove the ball low and hard beyond the reach of Pilkington who had no chance diving to his left.
Straight away Notts could have equalised, but Weir-Daley's close-range shot was saved by Warrington in the Millers goal, who minutes later made another low stop from the same frontman who turned well on the edge of the box on fifteen minutes as he looked Notts' most dangerous threat in attack.
On the counter-attack the Millers were looking exceptionally dangerous with the pace and power they possessed in their midfield and attack, and Canoville made a fine block to deny Brogan just after the quarter-hour mark after he had cut inside from the right.
Jason Lee, searching for his first of the season, almost brought Notts level with a spectacular overhead kick on nineteen minutes but his effort was straight at Warrington in the Millers goal, but the reaction from Notts after going behind was certainly very positive.
Notts, knocked a little by the home crowd for not playing enough football last week, were certainly proving they could get the ball down and play at Millmoor with a good passing move from the back to the front by Tann, Canoville, MacKenzie and Mayo eventually working an opportunity for Weir-Daley, but his effort was blocked by the Rotherham defence with the shot looking destined for the far corner.
A slip by Mayo almost allowed the home side to double their advantage just before the half-hour mark as he made the most of the room created by the left-back's slip to advance into the area and aim to catch Pilkington out at his near post, but the shot-stopper got down well to block the effort at the expense of a corner which he claimed.
Rotherham were made to rue that miss on 35 minutes as Notts drew level. Weir-Daley had been Notts' biggest threat throughout the first-half with a lively performance, and he got the goal he deserved as a result of a slip by Tonge in the Rotherham defence. His slip allowed both Weir-Daley and Dudfield in on goal, and Weir-Daley picked up the pieces and slid the ball into the net for his first Notts goal.
It was certainly deserved goal for Notts, but they had to be aware of the Rotherham backlash and Mayo certainly was as he made a fine block to deny Holmes a shot on the turn a minute later.
Notts remained the better side in the latter stages of the half, and Weir-Daley almost capped what was a very impressive first-half performance with a second goal but after skinning Coughlan for place and firing a low shot in at goal he was denied by Warrington. There was even time for another chance for the striker before the half was over as he ran onto MacKenzie's pin-point ball over the top to volley a left-foot effort at goal, but Warrington did well to block the shot.
A week on from the boos of the Magpies fans after going in goalless against Dagenham, Notts left the field to a standing ovation from their fans - looking to see more of the same in the second half.
Half-Time: Rotherham United 1-1 Notts County
Rotherham made a change at the break with Dyer off and O'Grady, once of Notts, on in his place, and the ex-Notts frontman curled an effort wide only minutes after coming off the bench as the home side began the second period brightly.
Neither side were able to create any real chances in the early stages of the half, and Notts opted to make a change just seven minutes into the second period with Dudfield replaced by the fit-again Andy Parkinson who almost gave Notts the lead moments after coming off the bench but he was challenged at the last moment by a Rotherham defender as he lined up a shot.
Derek Holmes a minute later should really have restored the home side's lead, but when well placed in the area on his left foot he drove an effort wide of Pilkington's far post.
After a chance-littered first half the second period didn't provide as much action, but still you got the feeling that in giving their best performance of the season and were putting a real all-hands to the pump performance with some good football and creative play.
Butcher curled a long-range effort over for Notts, who were limited to far less opportunities after the break with the Millers clearly learning their lesion and Weir-Daley much closely marked.
However it wasn't closely enough with ten minutes to go as the frontman smartly turned in the box to create a good opening for himself on the turn, but his right-foot drive was only just over the crossbar.
Despite not being able to net a win with Notts' best outing of the season, there's no doubt Steve Thompson will reflect on a positive performance with great heart. Notts showed what they were about today and on another day Weir-Daley would have had a goal or two more to add to his impressive outing.
He almost got on the end of a Parkinson through-ball late on, but Rotherham snuffed out the danger.
One defeat in seven keeps a good record intact for Notts, and with Chesterfield coming up next weekend a win would really keep things ticking along nicely - but today was impressive by Notts and they were well worth the point earned, if not the win.
Rotherham United: Warrington, Tonge, Coughlan (C), Joseph, Brogan, Todd (Yates 61), Bean, Harrison, D Holmes, Dyer (O'Grady 46), P Holmes.
Subs Not Used: Annerson, Newsham, Cresswell.
Booked: Bean.
Sent Off: None.
Goals: P Holmes (7).
Notts County: Pilkington, Canoville, Mayo, Hunt, Tann, Somner, MacKenzie (McCann 85), Butcher (Silk 76), Weir-Daley, Dudfield (Parkinson 53), Lee (C).
Subs Not Used: Sandercombe, Sam.
Booked: Somner, Mayo.
Sent Off: None.
Goals: Weir-Daley (36).
Match Referee: Mr K Evans
Attendance: 4,181
nottscountyfc.co.uk Man of the Match: Spencer Weir-Daley
