A FIRST-half cracker from Joss Labadie put Notts County ahead against League One leaders Doncaster Rovers today.
And the Magpies led 1-0 at half-time at the Keepmoat Stadium.
Krystian Pearce started for Notts for the first time in 13 months, partnering stand-in skipper Dean Leacock in central defence.
Gary Liddle was named at right-back and Alan Sheehan was chosen at left-back, in front of young goalkeeper Fabian Spiess.
Alan Judge returned from suspension and joined Jamal Campbell-Ryce, Jeff Hughes and Labadie in midfield, while Tyrell Waite and Yoann Arquin began in attack.
The Magpies started well and Judge tested Doncaster goalkeeper Neil Sullivan with a stinging shot from the edge of the penalty area on eight minutes.
Campbell-Ryce then swung a dangerous cross into the box from the right wing for Waite, but defender Jamie McCombe headed the ball clear, and Leacock steered the ball just wide from inside the penalty area a minute later.
It got even better for Notts on 14 minutes when Labadie scored a super goal.
Judge rolled a free-kick to him and the rest was outstanding as Labadie smashed the ball past Sullivan and into the top-right corner of the net from 30 yards.
It stunned the home side, but they tried to hit back quickly and midfielder Dean Furman headed past Spiess from close range on 25 minutes, but he was flagged offside and the Magpies still led.
Doncaster captain Rob Jones then headed wide from a corner on 27 minutes and Billy Paynter headed over the bar from inside the box minutes later.
Rovers threatened to equalise again on 40 minutes as James Coppinger rifled a powerful shot at goal that Leacock bravely blocked.
John Lundstram pounced on the rebound and struck a venomous effort at goal that Spiess tipped over the bar.
Notts were living dangerously as the first half ended and Hughes made a vital clearance inside his own six-yard box and Spiess saved a close-range header from Paynter.
