Notts County extended their unbeaten run under Ian McParland to three matches with a 1-1 draw at Barnet this evening, with Richard Butcher's second-half equaliser earning McParland's Magpies a well-earned point.

A scrappy first period was one of few chances, but when a goal did arrive six minutes before the break it was a real beauty, as Barnet's Jason Puncheon thundered the home side ahead with a long-range drive from all of twenty-five yards.

Ian McParland's Magpies were quickly out of the traps in the second period and just four minutes in Notts were level through Richard Butcher. The midfielder delivered an over-hit cross towards goal which seemed an easy claim for Barnet goalkeeper Lee Harrison, but somehow the ball slipped through his fingers and into the back of the net.

Kevin Pilkington made a string of fine stops in the second period to ensure Notts left Underhill with a point, and it was nothing more than they deserved with a dogged and determined display.

Notts boss Ian McParland kept faith with the same side which defeated Accrington Stanley on Saturday, with the returning Matt Somner and Andy Parkinson on the bench after suspension and injury respectively.

Barnet were meanwhile going into the game off the back of their first loss in ten matches at the weekend with a comprehensive 3-0 defeat to Bury, but had suffered only one loss on home turf prior to tonight's clash at Underhill.

In the second of their 'away double-header' at another difficult and uncompromising venue with certainly not the best facilities in League Two, and the Magpies settled well in the opening stages and provided a handful of teasing balls into the Barnet box from both wings but were unable to carve out any opportunities to test Lee Harrison on the Barnet goal.

In fact the first attempt of the game came on nine minutes as the dangerous and impressive Jason Puncheon fizzed a low and powerful long-range effort towards goal which Kevin Pilkington stopped, but after initially spilling the shot and putting Notts hearts in mouths he dived on the loose ball before Birchall could pounce on the rebound.

Notts' first effort on goal came sixteen minutes into the action, and the chance fell to Adam Tann at the far post but his first-time right-foot effort from around eight yards out was straight at Harrison. The effort had to be taken first-time by the defender in a crowded penalty area, but he was just unfortunate he could not guide the ball into the corner of the goal rather than straight at the grateful Barnet goalkeeper.

In reality, the first-half was something of a 'swap-ball' session with neither side keeping the ball for too long and very few opportunities were being created - and the Magpies had limited a very strong outfit Barnet into very few good positions to create chances. Both benches were frustrated by their sides in a scrappy first period, and like Craig Lindfield's goal at Accrington on Saturday it was a real bolt from the blue which handed the home side the lead.

Six minutes before the interval the Magpies left Jason Puncheon with enough room on the edge of the box to line up a thunderous drive on his left-foot, and he lit up a disappointing first period from both sides with a stunning effort flying into the top right-hand corner of Pilkington's goal. The effort was a goal worthy of gracing the UEFA Champions League on a night where various matches across Europe taking place, but in Notts' eyes they will point to too much time and space handed to the goalscoring midfielder who didn't need inviting to fire the effort into Pilkington's net.

Barnet ended the half strongly and spend the majority of the final six minutes of the half in Notts' half, but Tann and Hunt at the heart of the defence had to deal with a number of balls thrown forwards by the home side, and deal with them they did.

As the half-time whistle went, Ian McParland and his backroom staff headed to the dressing room clearly with plenty to say to the team.

Half-Time: Barnet 1-0 Notts County

Neither side opted to make any changes at the break, but Ian McParland looked a man very much pondering a change and had obviously urged his side to be more positive from an attacking point of view, and four minutes into the second period his side were on level terms.

The goal came in bizarre circumstances, but Notts were hardly going to turn down such a gift by Barnet goalkeeper Lee Harrison. A good passing move started by Weston's mazy run down the left, which saw him advance across the edge of the box and eventually feet Canoville out wide on the right who then slipped Butcher in to deliver a cross from the right which was over-hit and into the hands of Harrison, who let the ball slip through his grasp and into the back of the net. A real gift, but one we and Butcher were grateful for and it gave Notts a solid base to build on in the half.

Confidence was quickly lifted and Notts were quickly pushing on aiming to take the lead, and a neat corner move played short almost saw the Magpies go 2-1 up but both Hunt and Tann steaming in late inside the six yard box were inches away from making contact and Barnet survived a real scare while Butcher forced Harrison into a stop on the hour which earned the Magpies a corner.

Pilkington had little to do in the early stages of the second half on a goal November evening, but he had to be quickly off his line on the hour to snuff out a chance for Birchall for the home side. He was quickly off his line and headed away as the frontman scampered clear on goal, and Canoville fired the chance away before any Barnet player could shoot at the exposed Notts goal.

It was clear that attacking up the slope and being able to get the ball down more was working to Notts' advantage, but Barnet themselves as the home team were entitled to being going all out for the win and when Notts did come under pressure like they did at Accrington on Saturday the defence as a unit was holding solid and firm and giving little away.

Notts made changes with Sam and Somner on for Weston and Hunt who seemed to be carrying knocks, while McCann came on for Lindfield ten minutes from time as Notts prepared to battle it out in the final ten minutes for something from the game.

Pilkington was called into another fine save eight minutes from time after Puncheon pulled the strings once again for the home side. His smart run and intelligent through-ball in behind Canoville sent the dangerous Birchall clear on goal but from six yards out Pilkington was off his line and able to block the striker's shot.

He was called upon to make another fine stop from an acute angle late on from Puncheon, capping off an impressive performance where he kept Notts in the game with a string of good stops.

At the other end Notts pushed for a late winner and after a good run by Dudfield a deflection took the ball over the bar, but it was all hands to the pump for Notts at the back in added time as they held firm under heavy Barnet pressure.

Notts may not have been able to play it pretty like they would have hoped at times, but from this very difficult away 'double-header' at Accrington and Barnet. Both places are tough to go to, and to have four points in the bag from those six on offer - which shows impressive strides made already under Ian McParland.

Now Notts have a break from League action this weekend with Histon the visitors at Meadow Lane in the First Round of the FA Cup, and now the Magpies can look forwards in a really positive frame of mind as they aim to extend the unbeaten run they have strung together.

Full Time: Barnet 1-1 Notts County

Barnet: Harrison, Devera, Nicolau (Hatch 56), Bishop, Leary (Carew 70), Birchall, Puncheon, Burton (C), Gillet, O'Cearuill, Wright.
Subs Not Used: Grazioli, Porter, Beckwith.
Booked: None.
Sent Off: None.
Goals: Puncheon (39).

Notts County: Pilkington, Canoville, Hunt (C) (Somner 77), Tann, Mayo, Butcher, Silk, MacKenzie, Weston (Sam 75), Dudfield, Lindfield (McCann 80).
Subs Not Used: Sandercombe, Parkinson.
Booked: Lindfield, Somner.
Sent Off: None.
Goals: Butcher (49).

Match Referee: Mr A D'Urso

nottscountyfc.co.uk Man of the Match: Kevin Pilkington