Pilkington relieved to play again

Pilkington has only played six games for Notts County this season

Notts County goalkeeper Kevin Pilkington says he is pleased to be playing first-team football again.

Pilkington has spent the season as second choice to Russell Hoult, who is now out injured for up to two months.

"[It's been] too long for me," he told BBC Radio Nottingham. "I've enjoyed it even though we lost [on Saturday], and it's nice to be playing again.

"But you want to go out and win as well, so that's taken the edge off it a little bit," he added.

Before Saturday, Pilkington hadn't played first-team football since the Magpies' 2-2 home draw with Shrewsbury at the end of August, and he admitted it was tough returning to competitive action.

"You can do all the training you want, but when you're coming into an actual matchday it's totally different. You've got bodies in the box and balls fizzing in there," he said.

With Hoult out for an extended period, Pilkington wants to seize the opportunity to show his worth.

"I just want to go out there and do my best for the lads and work hard. I enjoy playing, I've always said that.

"It's all about winning though. We need to get in that winning habit again and we need to do it quickly."