Notts County took plenty of positives out of the pre-season encounter with FC Halifax Town at The Shay Stadium after displaying more signs of progress.
Although beaten 1-0, the Magpies delivered a performance that pleased manager Shaun Derry, with just one lapse leading to the concession.
New signing Garry Thompson pulled on a Notts shirt for the first time and would have marked it with a goal had his finish into the roof of the net not been ruled out for offside.
Thompson came close again when his breakaway run down the right saw him beat the full-back before striking into the side netting.
Trialist striker Akwasi Asante was presented with the best opening of the half for Notts after latching onto a dangerous Zeli Ismail cross into the six-yard box, only for his side-footed effort to be instinctively pushed onto the bar by home custodian Matt Glennon.
Ismail was in fine form throughout and thought that he had given County the lead ahead of the break with a stunning 25-yard hit but the winger was denied by the woodwork.
At the other end, former Manchester United goalkeeper Roy Carroll lined up between the sticks and produced an assured performance.
Carroll was seriously tested only once in the opening 45 by a Matty Pearson drive but the stopper was able to tip over his own crossbar.
The second half provided a quieter affair, though trialist wideman Adam Dawson threatened from the left on a number of occasions with shots from distance.
Jake Cassidy, just a day after signing on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, also looked to be a good addition to the squad and worked the goalkeeper with a couple of attempts.
10 minutes from time, Halifax found the net through Jamie Jackson's spectacular hit into the bottom-left corner, which left Carroll with no chance.
This proved to be the only goal of the game but at this stage it remains about the performances and fitness for the Magpies.
Full Time Score: FC Halifax Town 1-0 Notts County
Attendance: 720 (Including 135 Notts County Supporters)
Notts County Starting XI: Carroll, Thompson, Mullins, Hollis, Adams, Smith, Thompson, Wroe, Asante, Noble, Ismail, Murray.
Subs From: Spiess, Whitehouse, Diaz, Cassidy, Mckenzie.
FC Halifax Town Starting XI: Glennon, Mcmanus, Bolton, Roberts, Wiilliams, Pearson, Boden, Ainge, Maynard, Dyer, Marshall, Schofield.
Subs From: Senior, Roberts, Smith, Jackson, Peniket.