We take a look at how the press reviewed our 1-1 draw at Barnet on Tuesday night with reports from the Nottingham Evening Post and Barnet's Official Website.

Richard Butcher's goal four minutes into the second half, fortunate as it was, earned Notts a point after Jason Puncheon had put the home side ahead just before half time.

Evening Post Report by Stevie Roden

Ian McParland had told his NottsCounty players to create their own luck by turning up the heat to force mistakes from their opponents.

Last night, after a frustrating and scrappy opening 45 minutes that saw the Magpies go behind to a wonder strike from Jason Puncheon, they came out, rolled their sleeves up and dragged themselves back into the game.

Within four minutes their change of fortune duly arrived after a cross from Richard Butcher was fumbled horrendously by Lee Harrison into the back of his own net.

Butcher said it was the luckiest goal he had ever scored - but McParland would have been pleased with how it came about.

Myles Weston made an inspired, quick-fire run down the left, cut inside then used his head to switch play to Lee Canoville. The full-back advanced and in textbook fashion he played Butcher on the overlap down the right of the box and his quick delivery produced the error from Harrison.

Lucky? Yes. But like McParland has always told his team, you create your own luck.

This was far from their best display, but what they lacked in creativity and clinical play, they made up for in sheer determination and battling qualities.

And it was enough to earn them a point against a side who before they lost on Saturday had gone ten games unbeaten.

For Notts, it means they continue a little unbeaten run of their own to take seven points from nine.

McParland had one decision to make beforehand, whether to bring Matt Somner back into the middle of midfield after his return from suspension in place of Gary Silk. He chose to stick with the team that beat Accrington Stanley 2-0.

The half saw Notts struggle to make a real impact. Adam Birchall gave them a early scare after he was played in by Joe Devera, only for Adam Tann to block well and then Kevin Pilkington saved after Puncheon fizzed an effort to the bottom corner.

The Magpies won a series of free-kicks in dangerous positions and four corners early on but the visiting bench was left frustrated at the lack of quality and Barnet went unpunished.

The closest they came was when Tann shot powerfully when a Neil MacKenzie corner fell to him but Harrison held on.

Myles Weston was also using his pace to beat men consistently and get to the byline but he could not force a telling final ball.

When the deadlock was finally broken it was a quality finish from Jason Puncheon.

Their was a question mark against Notts' defending after players failed to close him down as he shaped to shoot from just outside the area on the right corner of the box.

Even so, you could take nothing away from the left-footed strike that was simply unstoppable as it flew into the opposite top corner.

The Magpies' lucky goal just after the break gave them a lift and they almost took the lead straight after from a well-worked short corner, MacKenzie delivering the final ball in but neither Hunt or Tann could add the decisive touch.

Weston caused problems again and when Dudfield kept his deep cross in play, it allowed Butcher to force Harrison to tip round his post.

Pilkington then rescued Notts, racing out to clear with his head as Birchall raced through. Seconds later he caught what Barnet claimed was a back pass from Hunt but the goalkeeper escaped unpunished.

It was the goalkeeper's reflexes that kept his side level. First he got down well to save Birchall's low shot, then he dived full length to deny Puncheon with 15 minutes remaining.

The best of a series of fine saves came eight minutes from time when Puncheon threaded a superb ball to Birchall. Pilkington, quick off his line, made a stunning stop when it looked like Barnet were going to wrap up the game.

Notts could have won it themselves as Dudfield flew in to meet Butcher's ball but could not hit the target. Later he held up the ball, stayed on his feet when fouled before seeing his shot deflected over the bar.

Those chances came either side of Pilkington again having to save from Puncheon, this time blocking with his legs after Silk failed to deal with a cross.

In the end Notts deserved a point after a battling display, especially in the second half, though their inability to make numerous free-kicks and corners count meant they never got in the driving seat.

It may have been a streaky goal but you cannot begrudge the Magpies that luck after the hard-working way they have gone about things in the last three matches.

It is now clear things are turning round - and with non-league Histon in the FA Cup on Saturday and then Macclesfield at home in the league to follow, there is a chance to build momentum.

Barnet Official Website Report by David Bloomfield

With an injury doubt hanging over Liam Hatch the Barnet boss Paul Fairclough pushed Jason Puncheon from his slot out on the left wing to partner Adam Birchall up front. Kenny Gillet, after his cameo at Bury was re-introduced at left-back, with Nicky Nicolau keeping his place in the line-up as a left-sided midfield replacement for Puncheon.

County started brightly and made several robust challenges on the returning Gillet. Never one to flinch a challenge the Frenchman was equal to the task and he showed that his metatarsal injury was behind him. One cross in the first half by the Bees defender evaded all comers, but it had been expertly delivered into the danger zone.

For the Magpies the lively left-winger Myles Weston was engaged in an enthralling duel with the Bees right-back, Joe Devera. Weston did on occasion beat his man, but Devera was never left in his wake.

On loan from Liverpool the visitor's striker Craig Lindfield has on his side youth and an eagerness to impress having scored on his League debut just a few days earlier. Facing him was the much more experienced Sagi Burton and their contest was a fascinating one with one using his sense of positioning to read and nullify the danger with the young colt running here there and everywhere.

On 39 minutes Jason Puncheon picked the ball up on the right and started a mazy run, cutting inside defenders. He then released a canon of a shot that fairly ripped into the net to give the Bees a one goal half-time advantage.

The lead was not to last too long past the interval. With just four minutes of time having elapsed a speculative cross by the Magpies Richard Butcher from the right caught Bees keeper Lee Harrison unawares and the visitors were on level terms. A definite error by the keeper.

For the majority of the second period, with Barnet attacking down the slope, the home side dominated the play with both Adam Birchall and Puncheon having good efforts on goal.

With some ten minutes remaining a marvellously inventive deft pass by Puncheon into the path of Birchall brought out a good save from County's keeper Kevin Pilkington, although in truth this was a gilt-edged opportunity and perhaps being that it was not converted a victory that on the balance of play Barnet could argue they deserved began to look a less likely outcome.

Birthday boy, Josh Wright, eighteen on the night, gave another 'mature head on young shoulders' performance and went close with several pile-drivers from the edge of the box.

County occasionally flitted into life and late-on a Lawrie Dudfield strike on goal did give cause for concern.

Post-match Paul Fairclough said that he was proud of the commitment shown by his players on the night. He felt they had picked themselves up after the defeat at Bury and despite the nature of Notts County's equaliser they rallied again and took the game to their opponents with endeavour, although he was of the opinion that his side need to show a little more composure if draws are to be converted into victories.

A break this weekend from the marathon that is League Two when The FA Cup comes a calling this Saturday when Gillingham visit Underhill in a First Round tie.