Notts County's unbeaten run stretched to four games this afternoon with a 1-1 draw at home to Grimsby Town.

In-form Kevin Pilkington made two fine saves from Danny North in the first half while Lee Canoville also hacked an effort off the line from the Grimsby No.9 .

The second period saw the Magpies dominate the early stages and Richard Butcher slammed home his tenth of the season just before the hour to give Notts the lead; but that lasted for only two minutes as ex-Notts defender Nick Fenton drew the visitors level from close range.

Ian McParland handed a debut to Ryan Jarvis after signing on loan from Norwich City on Thursday evening, while Ali Gibb retained his place and was handed a home debut three weeks after joining from Hartlepool.

Felix Bastians missed out in the last game of his loan spell from Forest; and watched the game from the stands.

Grimsby, unbeaten in eight, almost opened the scoring on six minutes - but Notts had Lee Canoville to thank that the game remained goalless at that stage. Till's run from outside the box advanced into the penalty area and his scuffed cross found its way to North who was able to beat Pilkington with a low drive, but Canoville was on hand to hack the ball off the line. A follow-up from Boshell was also blocked on the line by the same man, and he eventually smashed the ball clear.

Three minutes later North was presented with another opportunity as he ran clear on goal to beat the offside trap, but off his line quickly Pilkington blocked the effort with his legs. Alert goalkeeping to fly off his line and also make himself big, it's clear to see Pilkington is playing with real confidence at the moment in possibly his best run of form since joining the Club in 2005.

Lee's tame header at Barnes early on was the only real opportunity Notts could create, but early on there were some real signs of Jarvis and Lee linking up well. Jarvis was using the ball well, looking confident and finding space neatly to make himself to look a good acquisition.

Pilkington was called into further action midway through the half, this time diving full length to his right to save North's goalbound header from Hird's ball into the box from the right. As he told us earlier in the week he gets a steak from his local butcher's every time he keeps a clean sheet, and he was doing all he can to preserve that status and eat well tonight.

Edwards spurned a good opportunity on the half hour after finding some space in the box to get on the end of Butcher's free-kick which Jarvis flicked on, but after blazing over ten yards out his blushes were spared by the offside flag.

Grimsby weren't able to enjoy as much possession as they had in the early stages as Notts began to come more into proceedings - but they weren't able to find a way through the Grimsby backline to test Barnes before the break.

Half-Time: Grimsby Town 0-0 Notts County

Jarvis had a great opportunity eight minutes into the second half to open the scoring after some terrible defending by Clarke, but after Gibb played the on-loan Norwich man in on goal he fired at Barnes who made a smart stop. Jarvis was furious with himself afterwards, with Butcher unable to get on the end of the rebound as Fenton cleared.

Notts were able to get a grip-hold on the game, and just before the hour leading scorer Richard Butcher was on hand to lash home his tenth goal of the season and give the Magpies the lead. A ball into the box fell loose, and Butcher once again showed his goalscoring instinct by nipping onto the ball and then lashing a low drive into the far corner.

A perfect start to the half, but the Mariners responded by drawing level within two minutes. A free-kick wasn't dealt with in the Notts defence and ex-Magpie Nick Fenton found time and space at the far post to slot the ball past Pilkington.

Ian McParland in the technical area was fuming and clearly unhappy his side were unable to hold onto the lead for more than two minutes; especially from a set-piece also.

A fine block by Edwards twenty minutes from time kept the scores level as he threw his body in the way of a Till shot as the Mariners thrived on the confidence Fenton's goal had given them.

At the other end a fine combination by Jarvis and Lee created an opening with Lee whipping in a low cross, but Silk just couldn't make a clean connection on the ball inside the box and he scuffed his shot.

Weston replaced Gibb in the final twenty minutes as Butcher moved out to the right wing and he was straight into the thick of the action with a number of bursts down the left and balls into the box with Jarvis almost got on the end of twice, but Barnes and then Bennett denied him netting a debut goal.

Weir-Daley replaced Lee up front for the final ten minutes, and he caused problems in the box straight away as Canoville floated over a cross which wizzed just past the former Forest man and onto the head of Myles Weston - but he headed over when well placed, although he was under pressure.

An impressive debut from Jarvis wasn't to be crowned with a goal, and he was replaced two minutes from time by Lawrie Dudfield. However, he showed himself to look more than capable of doing a job for McParland's side in his performance.

Hegarty fired straight at Pilkington in the final minute, and despite three minutes of added time neither side could net the winner.

In-form Grimsby were always going to be a tough nut to crack this afternoon, their recent form alone showed that. Notts will be frustrated they didn't hold onto that lead, but they must remember they're unbeaten in four now and becoming increasingly difficult to beat- and that's one big positive.

Full Time: Notts County 1-1 Grimsby Town

Notts County: Pilkington, Canoville, Hunt, Tann (C), Edwards, Silk, Butcher, Strachan, Gibb (Weston 74), Lee (Weir-Daley 81), Jarvis (Dudfield 88).
Subs Not Used: Smith, McCann.
Booked: None.
Sent Off: None.
Goals: Butcher (59).

Grimsby Town: Barnes (C), Clarke, Hunt, Bennett, Fenton, North (Jones 90), Boshell, Hird, Hegarty, Till, Atkinson.
Subs Not Used: Montgomery, Whittle, Bore, Taylor.
Booked: None.
Sent Off: None.
Goals: Fenton (61).

Match Referee: Mr R East

Attendance: 4,902 (914 Grimsby Town Fans)

nottscountyfc.co.uk Man of the Match: Gary Silk