IAN McParland's greater expectations were clear before last night's game against Gillingham. He demanded a more energetic performance from his players, after their lifeless first-half display in a poor draw against Accrington on home soil on Saturday.

He wanted his players to roll their sleeves up, to show greater fight. And they did.

The Magpies' boss also wanted his side to show a greater cutting-edge in front of goal, to be more clinical. Well, one out of two isn't bad.

It is a familiar frustration of McParland's this season, that Notts fail to capitalise on the chances they create – and it was aired again in the wake of the 1-0 defeat – and rightly so.

Once again the Magpies created some good opportunities, but once again failed to take any of them and ultimately paid the price.

In fairness, Mike Edwards endured memorable misfortune late in the second half when he had a towering header cleared off the goal-line.

In stark contrast, the Gills' leading scorer Simeon Jackson took his chance. In a closely-fought game, it proved the decisive difference.

Notts made two changes from the 1-1 draw against Accrington, with Stephen Hunt replacing the rested Michael Johnson at the heart of the defence and Richard Butcher recalled in midfield ahead of Adam Nowland.

It was the visitors who threatened first in the opening minutes when the ball fell to Mark McCammon but the striker dragged his effort just wide of the post.

Jonathan Forte had a shot blocked by Mark Bentley inside the box as the Magpies replied minutes later.

Myles Weston was notably involved for the first time on seven minutes, carrying the ball with characteristically good close control at pace down the left.

He swept past two defenders but his cross into the box was just too high for Forte and Delroy Facey.

Notts kept up the early pressure and Facey drove wide minutes later.

Matt Hamshaw then curled a dangerous free-kick into the box from the left that Gills' keeper Simon Royce confidently punched clear in a crowd of players.

Facey was the first to waste a good chance on 24 minutes when he directed a free header well over the crossbar from 12 yards from Hamshaw's corner. He should have done so much better.

The Magpies were still the most threatening, the Gills' back-four looking uneasy against the aerial threat of Facey and Forte's electric pace.

Still, the visitors went close to scoring on 36 minutes when Jackson blazed wildly over the bar from close range.

Notts' response was immediate as Forte laid the ball to Facey inside the area and the striker's effort took a deflection and went just wide of the far post.

The Magpies were quickly onto the front foot at the start of the second half.

Jamie Clapham had a strike blocked by Gills' captain Barry Fuller on 49 minutes and Forte flashed an effort across the face of goal. At the other end, Kevin Pilkington comfortably held a tame shot from Nicky Southall minutes later.

Poor defending from Clapham then gifted the visitors a good opportunity on 55 minutes. He lost out to Bentley and he threaded a clever pass through for Jackson. The striker was clean through but rifled wastefully over the crossbar.

Despite their bright start to the half, Notts fell behind on 57 minutes when Andy Barcham fed Jackson inside the box and he clinically drove past Pilkington from close range. McParland was disappointed with his side's defending – but it was a good finish.

Magpies' captain John Thompson threatened twice in quick succession with close-range headers and Forte also went close to equalising but his close-range strike was blocked by Simon King. Facey had played a good ball towards the near post from Hamshaw's deep, dangerous, cross and his strike partner was unfortunate not to net his eighth goal of the season.

Then Edwards went so close with a header from Hamshaw's corner on 79 minutes but Fuller cleared off his goal-line. Facey then fired wide before Barcham tested Pilkington.

If Notts show the same effort and commitment at Bournemouth on Saturday, they can end their poor run of results – if they take their chances.