Stanley will be in the hat for the FA Cup second round draw – but they will first need a replay at the Store First Stadium to see off League One high-flyers Notts County.

The Reds battled hard against Shaun Derry’s in-form team and, while chances were limited, the Stanley backline were magnificent in holding the Magpies to a goalless draw.

So Stanley have it all to do again next week – but they will be confident on their home turf despite County’s record of not having lost on their travels this season. Only Chelsea hold the same statistic.

John Coleman had enforced changes with John O’Sullivan and Sean Maguire cup-tied and right back Nicky Hunt suspended.

West Brom keeper Jack Rose made his debut while left back Michael Liddle came into the side following injury – his last game was the opening day of the season.

It was something of a makeshift Reds line-up but they started off well against their League One opponents.

A poor kick by former Man United keeper Roy Carroll almost let Shay McCartan in straight away but his volley from the goalkick was just wide of the County goal.

Josh Windass, recalled to the starting line-up, also went on a mazy run on the edge of the area but his final effort was comfortable for the keeper.

Andy Procter, who was sent off in Stanley’s last visit to County in 2011 in a 3-1 FA Cup defeat, had a stern talking to early on by referee Mark Heywood after a challenge on Zeli Ismail – he was grateful to avoid an early booking and any repeats of that last trip to Meadow Lane.

County did grow into the game and their first real effort fell to former Rochdale hero Gary Jones on 15 minutes but Tom Aldred blocked his shot and Jones’s follow-up was well wide.

Stanley were matching their League One rivals and Windass was lively, racing down the right wing and shooting just over, although James Gray did berate him for not crossing.

County’s left winger Ismail was their main threat early on and he went on a strong run and crossed into the area. Striker Ronan Murray had got in front of his marker but thankfully clipped the ball wide.

There wasn’t a lot in it and Derry had to rearrange his backline after losing influential skipper Hayden Mullins to injury on 36 minutes and, from then until half-time, both sides were struggling to carve out any clear-cut opportunities.

Stanley will have been the happier at the break but County started well after the restart and both Aldred and Rob Atkinson threw themselves onto the ground to block a Ronan Murray goalbound strike.

Luke Joyce, who was booked for a challenge 10 minutes after the restart, blocked another effort as Stanley put their bodies on the line to keep out County.

Around 120 Stanley fans travelled to Meadow Lane and they gave a big cheer for the return of winger Kal Naismith– his first game for the Reds since the sudden death of his girlfriend three weeks ago – who replaced Windass with 22 minutes to go.

County continued to look for the winner and broke in their numbers at one point but Liddle got back to clear the danger.

Sub Marcus Carver could have made himself the hero with two minutes left when a deflected shot came to him four yards out – he skied the effort and was relieved the off-side flag spared his blushes.

And, in injury time, Thompson curled an effort inches wide of the Stanley post as the Reds held on for a replay.