Notts County got their pre-season campaign underway with a 3-2 defeat to Romanian Premier League side FC Universtiatiea Craiova in Austria this evening.

County trailed 3-0 early in the second half and staged a superb comeback with Luke Rodgers - currently training with the Magpies after leaving Yeovil Town last month - scoring with two headers to set up a grandstand finish.

On a warm evening in Bischofshofen County had the best chance of the early stages but Sean Canham headed wide.

The Romanians - who will be playing in European competition this season - took the lead from close range on 21 minutes and they doubled their lead on 25 when a through ball played one of their centre forwards clear on goal.

County were using the ball well and forced two openings before the break but the lively Rodgers shot wide and also had a shot blocked.

Craiova made it 3-0 early in the second half with a header from six yards out - but County responded quickly when Rodgers glanced home Craig Westcarr's cross.

On 65 Rodgers had a scissor-kick superbly turned over the bar, but from the resultant corner he wasn't to be denied and a Matt Hamshaw cross was finished off by the 27-year-old.

The comeback was almost complete on 70 minutes when Rodgers' excellent ball to the far post was headed towards goal by Sean Canham but his effort was turned onto the woodwork by the goalkeeper.

Mike Edwards' overhead kick was also well saved late on with County totally dominant in the last half hour.

County also used the game to have a look at Austrian midfielder Alex Hauser - once of Glasgow Rangers and he also has caps at Youth International level. He has been training with the Magpies since Sunday in Austria.

Goalkeeper Russell Hoult also made his long-awaited return after shoulder surgery in December last year cut his season short.

Manager Ian McParland was pleased with his players' efforts afterwards and he said: "It was a great workout for us against tough opposition. I'm pleased with the lads and it is another step forwards in our preparations towards the new season."

His side take in their second game of pre-season against SV Austria Salzburg on Wednesday evening before returning home on Saturday.

Notts First Half: Pilkington. Moloney, Hunt, Thompson, Clapham, Hamshaw, Ravenhill, Bishop, Hauser, Canham, Rodgers

Notts Second Half: Hoult, Thompson, Lee, Edwards, Hunt (Moloney), Fairclough, Ravenhill, Davies, Westcarr, Canham (Hauser), Rodgers (Hamshaw)