Notts County held League Two leaders Peterborough United to a goalless draw on their own patch with a gritty display at London Road this afternoon.

Russell Hoult in the Notts goal made good stops from George Boyd and Charlie Lee, while Notts almost snatched victory with Wayne Corden and Michael Johnson denied by Joe Lewis.

But in the end, both sides had to settle for a point apiece in this statemate.

Ian McParland opted to make three changes to his side which started against Lincoln in midweek, with Wayne Corden handed his debut after joining on loan from Leyton Orient while Gary Silk and Jason Lee were recalled in place of Gary Silk, Spencer Weir-Daley and Austin McCann for the game against the League leaders.

Peterborough meanwhile were at full strength as they aimed to maintain their spot at the top of the League Two table.

The Posh kicked off and launched an attack straight away, but Claude Gnakpa blasted high over the bar inside the first minute.

That was a signal of Posh's early intent as they piled the pressure on in the opening five minutes, but they were unable to test Russell Hoult with McLean and Mackail-Smith off target with efforts from inside the penalty box.

Notts were however defending with a real purpose and were able to build on that and begin to get a foot-hold on the game, although in the opening twenty minutes they were not able to test Joe Lewisin the Peterborough goal.

It took thirty minutes for Russell Hoult to be tested in the Magpies goal, but when he was by George Boyd he showed he was more than up to the challenge. A fine passage of play down the right by the Posh allowed a cross by Low somehow find its way to the far post to George Boyd who steadied himself before lashing a powerful drive at goal - but Hoult's huge frame denied the winger the opening goal at the expense of a corner.

Hoult was also tested by McLean soon afterwards, but after punching the ball clear and to the feet of the Posh's leading scorer he was grateful to see the frontman's attempt chip land straight into his arms.

Morgan headed over the bar from Boyd's corner seven minutes before the break, while Boyd's long-range drive two minutes later was straight at Hoult as the home side stepped up a gear in the final ten minutes before the break.

McLean drove an effort just wide two minutes before the interval, meaning the half-time whistle was greeted with some frustration by the home crowd. They were expecting a real onslaught against the Magpies, but Ian McParland's men were not as easy to break down as some might have thought.

Solid defending and sensible use of the ball in key areas meant Notts were not finding themselves under serious pressure, other than the first five minutes. Notts had silenced the crowd too, which was vital in what was a party-style atmosphere with Posh top of the League.

Half-Time: Peterborough United 0-0 Notts County

Neither Manager made changes at the break as the Magpies got the second half underway, but again it was the Posh who started the half in a similar vein to the first period with plenty of pressure and attacking play.

However, Russell Hoult was not tested other than to claim the occasional cross - a real tribute to those in front of him.

In fact on the hour Notts could have taken the lead, but goalkeeper Joe Lewis was right behind debutant Wayne Corden's twenty-five yard drive. Cutting in from the left onto his right foot he got plenty of power behind his effort, but Lewis got his body behind the ball and made the stop.

It was Notts' first shot on goal, but they weren't looking out of their depth in a whole-hearted and determined performance from McParland's men, who battled, chased, fought and competed for every single ball.

Michael Johnson came close to giving Notts the lead with twenty-five minutes to go as he got on the end of Mike Edwards' flick-on from Wayne Corden's corner - but Lewis made a fine block in the Posh goal at point-blank range to deny the defender his first-ever Notts goal.

Andy Parkinson came off the bench for the final twenty-or-so minutes as Ian McParland made his first change of the game in place of the hardworking Ryan Jarvis; which was a straight swap in attack and he almost got a chance two minutes coming off the bench to hit the back of the net with Lewis spilling Corden's shot from outside the box but the goalkeeper quickly dived on the loose ball.

Peterborough simply couldn't get their own game going, McLean was virtually anonymous and Mackail-Smith had a quiet afternoon and was replaced by Hatch midway through the half.

The home side barely had any attempts on goal in the second period, despite enjoying a large bulk of the possession at times. Six minutes from time sub Charlie Lee met a right-wing cross with a towering header which looked destined for the back of the net, but diving to his right Russell Hoult made a superb stop.

The home fans left in their droves with a few minutes to go as Notts continued to frustrate the home side, and despite late pressure Notts held on.

It was nothing less than Notts deserved for a battling display, and credit must go to those Magpies players who were written off pretty much by everyone ahead of the game.

No-one expected Notts to get anything today, but they proved those wrong - and this point must now be used as something to build on between now and the season's end.

With two games in three days next weekend - this could be the point to turn things around for McParland's men.

Full Time: Peterborough United 0-0 Notts County

Peterborough United: Lewis, Low (Lee 61), Morgan, Westwood, Hyde (C), McLean, Boyd (Rendell 79), Keates, Mackail-Smith (Hatch 71), Day, Gnakpa.
Subs Not Used: Blackett, McKeown.
Booked: None.
Sent Off: None.
Goals: None.

Notts County: Hoult, Tann, Edwards, Johnson, Mayo, Butcher, Corden (Hunt 90), Silk, Smith, Lee, Jarvis (Parkinson 72).
Subs Not Used: Weir-Daley, McCann, Canoville.
Booked: Smith.
Sent Off: None.
Goals: None.

Match Referee: Mr R Lewis

Attendance: 7,173 (453 Notts County Fans)

nottscountyfc.co.uk Man of the Match: Adam Tann