A DRAMATIC fight back saw Notts County draw 2-2 with Rayo Vallecano at Meadow Lane.
Having already toured Finland and also faced top sides from Romania and Turkey, the Magpies encountered another stiff European test from Madrid-based Vallecano, who finished eighth in La Liga last season and showed the sort of skill on the ball rarely seen in League One.
Notts had gone into the half-time break with a 1-0 lead, but a dominant second half performance full of pace, guile and an impressive range of passing saw Vallecano level the scores and then take the lead themselves.
Despite the visitors dominance, though, with just ten minutes to go Notts dramatically levelled the score to the appreciative cheers of the home crowd.
And the Notts fans who braved the conditions to watch the game were given a glimpse of new signings Mark Fotheringham, Danny Haynes and David Bell – with the pacey Haynes particularly impressing.
Regardless of the visitors' pedigree, it was the Magpies who started the game as the more dangerous side, with Jamal Campbell-Ryce winning the ball on the half-way line – embarking on an exhilarating run down the right-hand flank and putting the ball round Nacho Martinez, who eventually got back to block the cross.
Despite promising early signs from the Magpies, Vallecano were largely dominating proceedings, operating a fluid 4-5-1 system and showing the sort of poise in possession often associated with Spanish sides.
With five minutes on the clock, Alberto Perea had a golden chance to open the scoring for the away side, a whipped corner eluded everyone in the box only to fall to the midfielder's feet. But Perea miskicked and the danger was averted for Notts.
The Magpies responded with another chance to score on the break after eight minutes when strong work from Francois Zoko saw him win the ball from a Vallecano defender, only to shoot from a tight angle when through on goal rather than squaring to strike-partner Haynes.
For all of Vallecano's comfortable possession, Notts were the team carrying the most obvious threat and had a guilt-edged change with ten minutes gone. More strong work from Zoko carried him away from two defenders and his deep, whipped cross was met by Haynes, whose header was well saved by Ismael.
After nearly five minutes of almost completely dominant play from Vallecano, the away side produced another chance. Roberto Trashorras found space on the edge of the box, but his rasping drive was straight at Bartosz Bialkowski and the keeper saved it easily.
And the visitors went close again in the 25th minute – centre back Mario Gomez curling a delightful 20-yard free-kick just wide of Bialkowski's right-hand post.
After 35 minutes, Notts' ability to cause problems on the break shone through again – Campbell-Ryce dancing forward with the ball and whipping a 20-yard strike just wide of Ismael's goal.
And it was the Magpies who broke the deadlock just before half time. With 45 minutes on the clock, a free-kick whipped in by Alan Sheehan was flicked lightly home by Haynes – who beat his marker to the ball and found the left-hand corner of the net to score his debut goal for the Magpies.
And as the sides made their way back to the dressing room, the Magpies players could be forgiven for having a skip in their step. A hard-working performance punctuated with genuinely dangerous counter attacks had earned them a 1-0 lead.
Notts started where they had left off in the second half – substitute Yoann Arquin skillfully crossing from the left wing only for Zoko to fire high and wide.
But unfortunately for the home supporters, Vallecano's half-time team talk had galvanised the away side and 15 minutes into the second half a goal-mouth scramble saw Adrian Gonzalez touch the ball over the line to level the scores.
And the away side ruthlessly took the lead just two minutes later when Gonzalez scored his second – deliciously curling the ball home from 20-yards.
As the half progressed, Vallecano started to show the sort of play that justified their impressive league placing in Spain's premier division last year – Gonzalez, Trashorras and Saul Niguez passing and moving with consummate ease and leaving the Notts players chasing shadows.
Notts had barely touched the ball the next time Vallecano threatened – attacker Jose Carlos' long range strike was well saved by Bialkowski in the Notts goal and with 12 minutes remaining, the away side went close again when Johan Mojica powerfully fired just over from 25 yards out.
But against all the odds, the Magpies couldn't be kept out of the game and levelled the scores with just ten minutes left to play.
Substitute Arquin seemed desperate to grasp his opportunity from the bench and will have sent his manager a message as he powerfully rolled his man on the edge of the box, striding toward goal and smashing a half volley past the helpless Ismael.
And the Notts striker had another chance just seconds later as Notts won the ball from the kick off, but he snatched at his shot and it trickled harmlessly wide.
Arquin's finish proved to be the last meaningful action of the game and the home fans left Meadow Lane impressed with what their side had offered. In a stern test against high quality opposition, the Magpies showed many qualities that will serve them well in the coming season.
Notts County: Bialkowski, Dumbuya (Thompson 71), Sheehan (Tempest 71), Liddle (Hollis 82), Leacock (Smith 71), Haynes (Arquin 45), Bell (Howarth 45), Zoko (Nangle 59), Labadie (Paco 82), Campbell-Ryce (Coombes 59), Fotheringham (Mahon 59). Subs not used: Pilkington, Showunmi, Waite, Paco.
Rayo Vallecano: Ismael, Tito, Martinez (Mojica 45), Gomez (Baena 45), Carlos, Trashorras, Saballs (Gonzales 45), Diamanka, Perea (Bangoura 45), Niguez. Subs not used: Cobeno, Arbilla, Ridda, Isi, Diaz, Florez, Juanito
Referee: Andrew Madley
