Jamie Forrester's first goal for Notts County salvaged the Magpies point this afternoon in a 1-1 draw at Luton Town.

After a scoreless first half the home side drew first blood with Chris Martin driving the home side ahead, but Forrester put Notts back on level terms just four minutes later from the penalty spot after a handball by Sam Parkin.

Notts were unchanged in their starting XI for the third successive League fixture as they made the trip to Kenilworth Road, with the only two changes from the sixteen that faced Darlington a week ago being on the bench with Ben Fairclough and Jay Smith replacing Spencer Weir-Daley and Neil MacKenzie.

Sporting their claret and sky blue change strip Notts kicked off proceedings in the glorious sunshine.

Ian McParland's side began in positive fashion by using the ball effectively and putting the Hatters under early pressure with widemen Matt Hamshaw and Myles Weston enjoying plenty of the ball.

Jamie Forrester's effort on three minutes lacked power as the veteran striker stretched to latch onto Mike Edwards' flick-on while at the other end a long-range volley from Asa Hall was easily gathered by Kevin Pilkington in the Notts goal.

Myles Weston's pace had Luton's backline bamboozled on fifteen minutes as he set off on another of his mazy runs from just inside the Hatters half, but he blazed over after advancing into the box as Notts enjoyed a spell of pressure. Michael Johnson also came close with a glancing header from Matt Hamshaw's cross.

Luton however rode Notts' early advances and became more settled with the noisy Luton contingent right behind Mick Harford's men. And the home side came within a whisker of taking the lead on twenty minutes as Kevin Nicholls' long-range chip crashed back off the crossbar with Pilkington beaten all ends up. The midfielder was key component of the Luton side, with their best moves coming through the Hatters terrace hero.

Notts suffered an injury blow midway through the half as Adam Nowland sustained what looked to be a hamstring injury which forced him out of the action. Despite treatment from Physio Paul Smith he was replaced by Jay Smith who was a direct replacement in the holding role in the middle of the park.

Asa Hall tested Pilkington's reactions again before the half hour from outside the box with a low drive, but again the Notts custodian was equal to the challenge diving low to his right to dive onto the ball.

Chances were few and far between in the final fifteen minutes of the half, with the best chance falling to Luton wideman Lewis Emanuel but he curled over when well placed in first-half stoppage time.

Four minutes into the second half though the home side weren't to be denied as a swift break from the home side allowed Chris Martin enough time and space in the box to thrash a right-foot drive into the far corner past Pilkington.

It sparked the home crowd into celebratory mood, but a moment of madness by Sam Parkin allowed Notts back into the game within five minutes. The Luton frontman, back in his own box to defend a corner, committed a blatant handball from Hamshaw's flag-kick which left Referee Bates with no other option than to point to the spot.

And Jamie Forrester kept his cool from twelve yards by calmly slotting the ball into the back of net to Brill's right for his first Magpies goal since his summer move from Lincoln City and that goal quickly silenced the home faithful.

Weston's pace was causing the Luton defence no-end of problems as he continually flew past his marker down the left, but on two occasions no-one in a claret and blue shirt were able to get on the end of his crosses.

So next time Weston burst down the left he tried his luck himself with the outside of his left-foot, but drove just wide as Notts continued to press forwards with both Weston and Hamshaw on the right getting on the ball at every available opportunity.

Hamshaw almost carved out a chance for Forrester on the break late on, but Davis' outstretched leg denied the striker his second while Butcher and Smith were both off target as the Magpies pressure continued.

Luton barely threatened the Magpies goal after Martin's goal early in the half, but Parkin was almost celebrating a winner to atone for his earlier error five minutes from time as he met Plummer's cross to the far post with a towering header which was superbly saved by Pilkington diving to his right.

Two minutes of time were added on, but neither side could net a stoppage time goal and both had to be content with a point although Notts were by far and away the better side - especially in the second half with some exciting forward play.

But, as Ian McParland says Notts are still building and after claiming their first away point there's no doubt the points will be forthcoming if the performances continue to be at this high level.

Full Time: Luton Town 1-1 Notts County

Luton Town: Brill, Gnakpa, Davis, Pilkington, Nicholls, Parkin, Emanuel, Hall (Watson 71), Jarvis (Plummer 65), Martin, Spillane
Subs Not Used: Keane, Roper, Logan
Booked: Martin, Nicholls
Sent Off: None
Goals: Martin (49)

Notts County: Pilkington, Beardsley, Edwards (C), Johnson, Mayo, Hamshaw, Butcher, Nowland (Smith 26), Weston, Forrester, Facey
Subs Not Used: Canham, Tann, Fairclough, Hoult
Booked: None
Sent Off: None
Goals: Forrester (53 - Pen)

Match Referee: Mr A Bates

Attendance: 6,085 (381 Notts County Fans)

nottscountyfc.co.uk Man of the Match: Myles Weston