Notts County continued their preparations for the new season with a 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest.

Second-half goals from Luke Rodgers and Lee Hughes guaranteed a victory for Ian McParland's side, who were made to sweat when Lewis McGugan pulled a goal back for the Reds.

A crowd of over 12,000 people turned out to witness a superb afternoon's entertainment, perfectly whetting the appetite for the new season - which is just two weeks away.

At a sun-soaked Meadow Lane kick-off was delayed due to a large crowd arriving to see Nottingham's two sides in action for the first time in the City this summer.

Fans were given the opportunity to see County's new Director of Football Sven-Goran Eriksson introduced to the crowd prior to the game getting underway, and the Swede was given a rousing reception to the Magpies faithful.

Matt Hamshaw (Toe) and Ricky Ravenhill (Ankle) were ruled out of the derby clash, otherwise the Magpies were at full strength.

The first half was one of few chances, but when County did get on the ball they were always eager to keep the ball on the floor and get the production and energetic Ben Davies on the ball whenever possible.

Russell Hoult was called into action to make a good stop to deny Robert Earnshaw eight-yards out just after the half hour in the first real chance of the game.

Earnshaw came close on thirty-nine with a low shot which whistled past the far post with the Championship side enjoying a good spell of pressure.

County made two changes at the break, bringing Kevin Pilkington on in goal in place of Russell Hoult while Luke Rodgers replaced Sean Canham in attack.

Within a minute, Rodgers was just a matter of inches away from opening the scoring with a low shot across Camp which crashed back off the post and back into play allowing Forest to clear their lines.

Ten minutes into the half though, Rodgers bagged his sixth goal in just four pre-season games to give County the lead.

A slip by a Forest defender allowed the forward to burst clear on goal, and he kept his composure to calmly slot the ball past Camp.

The goal sparked the County fans into life and in the Kop was a cauldron of noise as the Magpies faithful celebrated the fact they were defeating their local rivals.

And it got better for the Notts fans on the hour when a superb cross to the far post was powerfully headed into the back of net by Hughes, marking his debut in County colours with a goal.

Hughes - booed by the Forest fans all game - then set off in his customary goal celebration dance in front of the visiting fans.

That was Hughes' last act as he was replaced by last season's top goalscorer Delroy Facey before the game got underway again.

Forest looked to have lost their way and sub Dexter Blackstock wasted a golden chance to pull a goal back when he volleyed straight at Pilkington at the far post at the midway point of the second half.

But they did find a route back into the match 17 minutes from time thanks to young midfielder Lewis McGugan.

There didn't appear much danger when he let fly from 25 yards but Pilkington failed to hold his shot and the ball bounced agonisingly over the line.

Despite late pressure from Forest, County came out on top.

Next up for the Magpies is the visit of Derby County to Meadow Lane on Tuesday evening.

Notts County: Hoult (Pilkington HT), Moloney, Edwards, Lee, Clapham, Westcarr (Fairclough 81), Bishop, Thompson, Davies, Hughes (Facey 60), Canham (Rodgers HT)

Not Used: Hunt, Mas

Attendance: 12,040

Nottingham Forest : Camp, Wilson, Lynch, Morgan, McGugan, Adebola, Tyson, Majewski, Gunter, McKenna

Subs: Chambers, Mitchell, Blackstock, McGoldrick, Darlow, Davies, Anderson