NOTTS COUNTY made a mockery of their lowly second division position when they deservedly earned a second chance next Wednesday at Villa Park after holding the Premiership side during their English FA Cup third round match at Meadow Lane last night.

County displayed great determination in defence, and might have caused an upset if Villa's Ugo Ehiogu had not been perfectly placed on the line in the second half to clear a shot from Phil Robinson.

Villa, badly hit by injury, rarely showed the form that has taken them to sixth in the Premiership, although Julian Joachim also saw an effort cleared off the line by County's defender Chris Wilder.

Joachim, deputising for the injured Dwight Yorke, should have done better than to shoot high over the bar when he was put clear by Riccardo Scimeca midway through the opening half. Then when Joachim was bundled over by Redmile on the edge of the area, Savo Milosevic stepped up but curled his free-kick just inches over.