Some goalless draws can be enthralling, exciting affairs. Sadly this wasn't and the scoreline mirrored the play which for large parts, struggled to reach mediocrity,in what was a tame contest littered with errors. But even this game ended with most talk being about the referee who denied the Gladiators the most blatant of penalties in the 78th minute. After the game,the man in black,Mick Bell, from Rotherham, apologised to the Gladiators management and officials, but by then it was too late.

Substitute Laurence Hall had broken clear through the centre, only to be tripped firstly by centre half Phil Lindley's outstretched leg. Then for good measure goalkeeper Jon Hood finished the job off. With the Town fans baying for a spot kick, Mr Bell was motionless, allowing play to continue. It was not his only baffling decision as when Chris Hilton upended Gary Webster in full flow earlier in the second half, he indicated that Webster had dived. If that was the case, why did he not book Webster?
Ryan Laight probably deserved a yellow card for his 29th minute late challenge on Chris Gowen, but Mr Bell decided to talk to both former Barnsley and Charlton Athletic midfielder Neil Redfearn and home captain Steve Robinson for far worse fouls, both against Paul Riley.

So it was a frustrating evening for Matlock and their 100 plus supporters who had journeyed to Westfield Lane. After the thrilling performance and draw against high flying Gateshead, just three days earlier, this was an anti climax, but Frickley deserve credit for their battling spirit and work ethic. They had leaked seven goals at Ashton on Saturday and were bottom of the table. They were hurting,and they set their stall out to stifle the Gladiators and ensure a repeat wasn't on the cards. Such a result was never on. Clear cut chances were few and far between in a game that had effort, but precious little quality. There was a five minute spell in the second half when the ball spent more time out of bounds than in the field of play.

Consolation for Matlock came with the clean sheet, only their second of the season so far, in a game which saw the debut of young Martin Taylor in goal, replacing the suspended Andy Richmond in the solitary change from Saturday. There was a rare moment of promise in the 16th minute when Steve Taylor fed Simon Barraclough, but the tiny marksman took the ball wide and Hood got down well to deflect the shot wide with his legs. Goalkeeper Taylor generally handled well and saw potential danger early enough to snuff out the threat, and he would have been especially pleased with an excellent 32nd minute save from a well struck Richard Tracey drive. He was then ideally placed to hold an effort from Chris White as half time approached.

Two minutes after the break Dean Jones did well to cut out a Webster cross bound for Taylor before at the other end Nathan Hotte's drive sailed way too high after indecision in the Gladiators defence. The Frickley striker was then booked for a two footed lunge at Steve Circuit. A fine header by Riley prevented a Gowen cross from reaching the danger area and when Matlock broke following the corner, Webster's cross was a touch too far in front of Barraclough. Then came Hall's penalty claim and the fact it was refused might have been made much worse as two minutes later Redfearn's guile allowed him to turn and slam a fierce left footer from twenty five yards which skimmed the Gladiators crossbar.

That was Frickley's best moment and after substitute Dene Cropper had flicked a Laight cross wide, Matlock might have had the final say as Neil Ashley, against one of his former clubs, saw his on target free kick held by Hood.
If Ashley's strike had been hit with a little more pace, it may have been more profitable for him and the Gladiators. But if can be a big word and in many ways this statement sums up the night. Basement club Frickley will be more happy with the point than Matlock. In truth neither side showed enough or on the night were good enough to grab the extra two points. But the penalty refusal did more than anything to leave the scoresheet blank.

MATLOCK TOWN: M Taylor, Laight, Riley, Circuit, Davis, Lukic, Webster, Warne, S Taylor (Cropper 74), Barraclough (Hall 74), Ashley. Other sub: Pidcock. REFEREE: M Bell (Rotherham) ATTENDANCE: 274 STAR MAN: James Lukic.