Luke Rodgers of Notts County and Kelvin Langmead of Shrewsbury Town

They came, they saw and they so nearly conquered.

A day that was billed as new manager Hans Backe’s opening gambit in Notts County’s five-year mission to reach the Premiership ended with the conviction Shrewsbury Town can mix it with the cream of the League Two crop.

Some six minutes separated Paul Simpson’s side from being the first team to chalk up a League victory at Meadow Lane since the arrival of Sven-Goran Eriksson, Tord Grip & Co transformed what have been the poor relations of city rivals Forest.

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It was a late equaliser from Graeme Lee – ironically the first loan signing of Simpson’s Shrewsbury reign – which left Town contemplating a draw which could have been a victory but, in some ways, had the feeling of a defeat.

Despite gaining a result many would have gratefully accepted at the kick-off, Town carried a look of genuine disappointment at having to share the spoils against a team packed with high-profile figures.

That gives a clear insight into the expectation levels within the Shrewsbury camp this season.

In what was an excellent advert for League Two football, Town produced a performance packed with perspiration and inspiration as the visitors won the vast majority of individual battles.

A near faultless performance from Town’s rearguard laid the platform and limited the threat of the subdued Lee Hughes and lively Luke Rodgers.

Paul Murray and Kevin McIntyre produced displays of real intensity to keep creative duo Johnnie Jackson and Ben Davies – his every touch greeted by boos from the Shrewsbury supporters – as quiet as regular County observers have seen them all season.

Out wide, goal-scoring hero Jamie Devitt and, in particular, Lewis Neal were a constant threat while the work-rate from Dave Hibbert and Waide Fairhurst was immense.

“I thought some of the football we played was excellent and I couldn’t have asked for any more than the way we worked,” said Simpson.

“Silly as it sounds, it feels like a bit of a defeat but there are so many positives I can take out of it.

“We’re a good side so I don’t really think we need to worry about anyone else.

“My team talk on Saturday was easy. I just told them to go out and show people what they could do and play like we know they can.

“I told them not to worry about all the hype surrounding Notts County and I think we did that.”

A momentary lapse in concentration was to cost Town near the death, an un-marked Lee heading home an 84th minute equaliser from a Rodgers cross to ensure the spoils were shared.

But what proceeded that goal should provide nothing but encouragement for Shrewsbury’s players, management and supporters.

It would be wrong to say Town dominated this encounter but they certainly controlled it, particularly in the first half when they could have earned greater rewards than Jamie Devitt’s 30th minute opener. It was a classy finish from the on-loan Hull winger who slotted home from 15 yards after Dean Holden’s cross had dropped invitingly for him.

What Shrewsbury would have given for a second goal at that stage.

And it could easily have arrived as Kevin McIntyre flashed a dangerous centre across the face of goal, Lewis Neal forced a smart reflex save from Kasper Schmeichel and Waide Fairhurst hit the target with a smart turn and shot.

At the other end, Steve Phillips’ work was routine for the opening 45 minutes, and the trend continued for the start of the second period with Hibbert forcing Schmeichel into a diving save and then having a goalbound shot blocked by defender Michael Edwards.

Gradually County increased the pressure late on as they threw on former Wolves and Leicester forward Ade Akinbiyi.

Town looked likely to hold firm until two former Shrewsbury players combined to disappoint their old club.

One glance at the County squad list suggests the most talked about team in the division remains one of the outstanding candidates for glory. But if Shrewsbury can re-produce this level of performance on a consistent basis, the same could be said of Simpson’s men.

By James Garrison