Colchester 2-1 Notts
Elliott Hewitt's first Notts goal wasn't enough to prevent his side slipping to a 2-1 defeat at Colchester United.
The former Ipswich man nodded the Magpies into the lead before Kurtis Guthrie levelled the scores with a header of his own.
After the break Colchester flipped the game on its head when Richard Duffy inadvertently turned the ball into his own net with 15 minutes to play.
And Notts were unable to find an equaliser on a foggy and frustrating afternoon in Essex.
Notts claimed the first chance of the game when Jon Stead controlled Thompson's cross on his chest, swivelled on to his left in the area and saw his low shot deflect up and into the arms of United keeper Sam Walker.
But Walker was left with no chance on 17 minutes when, after Carl Dickinson's corner was flicked on by Richard Duffy at the near post, Hewitt was perfectly placed to nod the ball home.
Colchester's response came in the shape of a tame half-volley by Owen Garvan which was comfortably saved by Adam Collin.
A minute later, however, the scores were level when Guthrie got goal side of Hewitt to meet a dangerous cross from the right eight yards out. The opposing players collided but Guthrie managed to shape his body to head the ball home as he fell.
The remainder of the half passed without major incident and there were no changes for either side at the break.
A booking for each side came shortly after the resumption of play - Hewitt punished for kicking the ball away after a Matt Tootle foul and Craig Slater penalised for his aerial challenge on Richards.
The match continued to be an even affair producing few chances, with the next incident of note coming on 65 minutes when Vadaine Oliver replaced Jonathan Forte.
Shortly afterwards, Notts had two chances to take the lead in quick succession. They both fell to an unlikely candidate in Carl Dickinson who, after seeing his shot from a tight angle saved by Walker at his near post, rose well to head the ball over from Stead's cross.
And the visitors were left to rue those missed opportunities when Colchester took the lead in fortuitous fashion. Brennan Dickenson's free-kick deflected off the wall and the ball was kept alive in the area. Duffy found himself on the ground and was helpless to prevent it crashing off his body and into the net.
Notts were now up against the clock in their search for an equaliser and on 80 minutes, moments after Dickinson had been booked for remonstrating with the referee after a foul was awarded against him, Sheridan sent on Louis Laing for Thompson. The former Sunderland man went to right back with Tootle moving into central midfield.
The manager's final change saw Campbell replace Richards shortly before Stead curled a free-kick over the bar.
Oliver skewed a shot wide from the edge of the area before four added minutes were indicated.
Collin made a good save low to his right to deny Guthrie as the hosts looked to put the game to bed.
Notts responded by winning a corner and sent Collin up to challenge, but the hosts were able to see the game out to claim victory.