Notts County were defeated 3-1 by Mansfield Town in a pre-season friendly at the One Call Stadium.
It was a disappointing afternoon for the Magpies with many areas requiring improvements in the upcoming games to ensure that the team is ready for the Sky Bet League 1 opening day fixture with Preston North End.
Notts started the game well and deservedly gained the lead in the 10th minute through Brad McGowan, who prodded into the top-left corner from a teasing Jeremy Balmy corner - his first senior goal in the Black and White stripes.
The Stags struck back twice in quick succession to take a 2-1 lead into the break, following goals from Alex Riley and Martin Fisher.
The leveller arrived after a slip at the back, which allowed Fisher into the area, where he was seen to be fouled by Fabian Spiess.
Fisher dusted himself off to fire inside the right-hand post from 12 yards, sending Spiess the wrong way.
The second goal was equally as frustrating - a corner routine that involved Adam Murray finding Matt Rhead at the back post.
Rhead nodded across goal to allow Riley to nudge the ball over the line at close range.
County fielded a new outfield line-up for the second period, including three trialists, but they were unable to find a way past Mansfield’s trialist stopper, despite a number of promising attacks as the game edged towards the final whistle.
However, Stags were able to strike again, this time from a long throw that Palmer directed into the top corner with a well timed header.
Full Time Score: Mansfield Town 3-1 Notts County (Fisher, Riley, Palmer; McGowan)
Attendance: 2,231 (Including 705 Notts County fans)
Notts County First Half: Spiess, McGowan, Mullins, Tempest, Dixon, Adams, Smith, Trialist, Balmy, Murray, Bishop.
Notts County Second Half: Spiess, Thompson, McKenzie, Hollis, Keane, Trialist, Noble, Wroe, Trialist, Trialist, Waite.
Look out for post-match reaction and highlights on Magpie Player.