Match Report: Second point of the season as Notts County pegged back by Stevenage

Notts County put in a much improved performance in Harry Kewell's first home league game in charge but defensive issues came back to haunt the Magpies as they were held to a 3-3 draw by Stevenage at Meadow Lane.

Three times Notts went ahead in the game and three times they were pegged back by the visitors, yielding just a second point of the season.

The Magpies took the lead midway through the first half as Ben Nugent brought down Jon Stead in the box for a penalty, which the veteran striker opted to take himself as he sent goalkeeper Paul Farman the wrong way.

Stevenage countered with their first equaliser seven minutes before the break through Ben Kennedy, who turned home Danny Newton's low cross, only to fall behind again on 43 minutes when the livewire Enzio Boldewijn cut in from the left and bent in his third goal of the season from 20 yards.

However, the first half ended all square as Alex Revell leapt above debutant Cedric Evina at the far post to connect with Steve Seddon's cross and loop a header beyond Ross Fitzsimons two minutes later.

Kane Hemmings restored the advantage four minutes after the break with a smart finish from Lewis Alessandra's through ball.

Stead could have effectively wrapped things up for County just before the hour mark as he miscued a volleyed opportunity after a deep cross found him unmarked at the back post.

As proof that more work needs to be done, Notts were pegged back yet again after 73 minutes, Danny Newton connecting with a cross and drilling home a left-footed finish from eight yards.

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