Notts County suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of local rivals Mansfield Town in the season's first Nottinghamshire derby at Field Mill this afternoon, with two Michael Boulding goals condemning new Notts boss Ian McParland to a debut defeat.
After a scoreless and relatively chanceless first period the Stags took the lead ten minutes into the second period through Michael Boulding from the penalty spot after a foul by Austin McCann on Matt Hamshaw, and the frontman added a second five minutes later as Ian McParland's managerial debut for the Magpies became a disappointing one.
Notts' team had two changes to the side which faced Bury in last weekend's 3-1 loss in Steve Thompson's final game in charge, with Matt Somner dropped to the bench and Danny Crow out injured - so in came Paul Mayo back from suspension and Andy Parkinson.
As for bottom of the table Mansfield, they were unchanged from the side which faced Barnet last Saturday, with ex-Notts man Dan Martin in the starting line-up.
The Magpies had clearly been given the message to kick off at a high tempo and really take the game to the Stags, and that they did with the full-backs quickly getting forwards to join in the attack and Notts' first chance fell to Andy Parkinson just a few minutes in.
Dudfield got away down the right and beat Baptiste with some ease to cross towards Parkinson at the far post, but his shot was blocked and eventually cleared. Butcher and Weir-Daley followed suit with blocked efforts, but it was Notts making the early running.
However, it was the Stags who had the best chance of the first ten minutes. The Stags caught Notts on the break and found themselves three-on-two with Boulding playing Arnold in on goal to his right, but Pilkington denied the youngster with a good block to turn the ball away and Adam Tann eventually hooked the ball clear.
Hunt had to make a fine block at the far post to deny Brown a chance of beating Pilkington at his near post soon afterwards as the Stags then enjoyed a good spell of pressure, before the midway point of the half was greeted with some scrappy play by both sides with the ball exchanging hands on a number of occasions.
Just before the half-hour Notts had a good opportunity to take the lead with Mayo's cross causing the Stags real problems in the box and after Dudfield's shot was blocked by Buxton the ball found Parkinson unmarked at the far post, but he could only find the side-netting as Mansfield breathed a sigh of relief.
They were almost breathing a sigh of joy a minute later as Mullins met a Hamshaw effort with a towering header, but Silk was on hand to head clear on the near post to deny the Stags the lead.
Another corner almost handed Notts the lead five minutes later, but MacKenzie's cross found the head of Stephen Hunt who towered above everyone to meet the ball well, but he headed the ball over when really he should have at least got the ball on target.
Hamshaw, a real threat against Notts in last season's encounters, set off on a mazy run and beat a number of defenders some seven minutes before the interval and advances towards the six-yard box, but he was denied a shot at goal by Hunt who made a fine challenge to really save Notts' bacon with the winger odds-on to slot the ball past Pilkington.
Notts ended the half with a flurry of corners, but were unable to make the pressure count.
Half-Time: Mansfield Town 0-0 Notts County
The Stags started the second period by immediately testing Kevin Pilkington with a long-range free-kick, but he was equal to Bell's low drive and he gathered the ball well literally a minute into the second period.
And after a spell of neither side managing to muster up a chance, a foul by Austin McCann on Matt Hamshaw in the box presented the Stags with a chance to take the lead on 56 minutes. Michael Boulding stepped up to take the spot-kick, and he slammed the ball into the net to give the home side the lead. McCann was booked for his foul.
Ian McParland quickly made a change with Myles Weston on for Andy Parkinson in a straight swap down the right, but it had little effect as the Stags quickly doubled their lead on 61 minutes as some hesitant defending allowed Boulding to break free after Brown beat Tann to the ball, and the frontman finished with excellent composure to give the Magpies a real kick in the teeth.
The Stags' tails were up and they piled on the pressure on the confidence-rocked Magpies, and Dawson twice had long-range efforts saved by Pilkington as they looked to take advantage of the pressure they were mounting.
Notts were unable to create much to show they could get back into the game, and even when they did the Stags were looking very solid and determined to giving little, if anything, away. Muggleton was rarely tested.
At the other end Boulding met a left-wing cross with a neat diving header, but he was unable to direct his header on target and with Pilkington scrambling across his goal the ball went just wide.
Notts were unfortunately unable to really trouble Mansfield and force their way back into the game, with Mansfield claiming only their second win of the campaign as a result, making it doubly disappointing for the Magpies in losing a local derby and also losing to the side at the foot of the table.
Notts will reflect on not making the most of the positive start, which has been a big problem for them all season. With a game situation out the way Ian McParland will have learnt a great deal about his side today - and now with a week's worth of training to aim to put things right next weekend's home game with Wrexham will be an interesting one.
Mansfield Town: Muggleton, Mullins, Bell, Hamshaw, Dawson, Brown, Boulding, Buxton (C), Baptiste, Martin, Arnold (Jellyman 90).
Subs Not Used: White, Holmes, McAllister, Sleath.
Booked: Martin, Brown, Buxton.
Sent Off: None.
Goals: Boulding (56 - Pen, 61).
Notts County: Pilkington, Silk, McCann (Sam 81), Hunt (C), Tann, Parkinson (Weston 58), Butcher, MacKenzie, Mayo, Dudfield, Weir-Daley.
Subs Not Used: Sandercombe, Somner, R Austin.
Booked: McCann.
Sent Off: None.
Goals: None.
Match Referee: Mr T Kettle
nottscountyfc.co.uk Man of the Match: Stephen Hunt
