Notts County edged a point further away from the League Two relegation zone with a 0-0 draw at home to Barnet at Meadow Lane this afternoon.

Ryan Jarvis came closest for Notts with a first-half effort well saved by Rob Beckwith, while the Magpies' own goalkeeper Russell Hoult made a fine stop at point-blank range to deny Barnet's Kenny Gillet.

Neither side were able to create any clear-cut opportunities in the second half, and ultimately both sides had to settle for a point in a game of very few chances.

Ian McParland opted to recall Neil MacKenzie for his first start in almost two months following hernia surgery in January, while Michael Johnson was handed a first start since joining a week ago on loan from Derby while Gary Silk was also called back into the side with Myles Weston, Ali Gibb and Stephen Hunt those dropping out.

Notts, shooting towards the Kop Stand in the first period, created the first opening inside a minute from a Neil MacKenzie corner but Mike Edwards headed over the bar as the Magpies made a bright start to the game.

The Magpies continued to make the running in the early stages and on eight minutes Jay Smith's pin-point ball in behind the Barnet defence picked out the run of Jarvis who was able to advance into the box and fire in a low right-foot drive towards the bottom corner which Beckwith blocked with his legs.

Barnet's first opportunity was sixteen minutes in arriving in a fairly quiet opening period, but Birchall's shot on the turn from just inside the penalty area was straight at Russell Hoult.

Two minutes later though Hoult was called into serious action to block a shot superbly from Gillett a point-blank range as Barnet caught Notts on the break. After advancing down the left Nicolau put a fine ball into the area to find Gillett at the far post - but Hoult made himself big from around six yards out and was able to block the shot and keep the game 0-0.

Butcher drove a shot wide from outside the box in a relatively chanceless opening thirty minutes as Notts looked to try and take the game to their opponents by trying to get in behind a high defensive line from the Bees.

Barnet goalkeeper Robert Beckwith had to be replaced due to a knee injury just after the half-hour, being replaced by Lee Harrision - who had the misfortune of gifting Richard Butcher a goal back in November when the two sides drew 1-1 at Underhill.

A few minutes from half-time Notts put the Bees backline under pressure with Smith, MacKenzie and Edwards all having shots blocked, while Crow's left-foot effort from outside the area was turned over the bar by Harrison.

Half-Time: Notts County 0-0 Barnet

The second period began how the first period had ended - scrappily - and by the hour neither side had managed to register a shot on goal in the second half.

On occasions both sides were getting forwards well, but the final ball was somewhat lacking and led to the lack of opportunities.

Just after the hour Notts made their first change, with Spencer Weir-Daley coming off the bench in place of Jay Smith - with the former Forest man going up front alongside Crow and Jarvis sitting a little deeper.

From a corner twenty-five minutes from time Barnet came close to opening the deadlock, but Yakubu header over despite powerfully meeting the ball while Barnet at the back were remaining solid and giving little away at the back as Notts sought to break down the Bees defence.

Jason Lee replaced the injured Danny Crow with around twenty minutes to go to add a physical presence in attack for Notts going into the latter stages of the game.

The two substitutes combined ten minutes from time to work an opening, but after Lee had flicked Paul Mayo's long throw into the box on into the path of Weir-Daley his shot on the turn was well blocked given the effort looked destined for the back of the net.

Despite their best efforts to break down the Bees, Notts were unable to make the breakthrough.

There's an old saying in football of 'if you can't win them, don't lose them' and that's what Notts have had to do today.

With Lincoln to come on Tuesday to Meadow Lane, the focus must quickly turn to the visit of the Imps - and attempting to take four points from six in this home double-header.

Full Time: Notts County - Barnet

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

Barnet: Beckwith (Harrison 34), Devera, Nicolau, Bishop, Yakubu (C), Adomah, Birchall (Grazioli 81), Burton, Gillet, Wright, Akurang.
Subs Not Used: Porter, Carew, St Aimie.
Booked: None.
Sent Off: None.
Goals: None.

Match Referee: Mr C H Webster

Attendance: 3,687 (213 Barnet Fans)

nottscountyfc.co.uk Man of the Match: Michael Johnson