The final scoreline indicates that Matlock were comfortably beaten, but in essence they were the better footballing side for considerable periods, only to be punished for their errors.

 

Certainly Guiseley's first two goals could and should have been avoided as a Mark Bett penalty on the stroke of half time was added to by James Hanson's header. Damien Dunne, who was later red carded, stooped to nod in the hosts' third before skipper James Lukic netted with a clever shot with fourteen minutes left.

 

Matlock's pre match planning was ruined as joint bosses Phil Brown and Gareth Williams had to make last minute changes to their line up. Joining the injured Paul Riley on the sidelines were Ryan Davis, Riley's replacement at left back, and Matty Caudwell, who were both sick.Their usually potent left flank threat had been completely wiped out. So the Gladiators opted for a 5-2-3 formation with Ryan Laight and Steve Circuit as wing backs, and Laurence Hall slotting in to a three man central defence alongside Lukic and Tommy Hannigan. Gary Webster and Neil Ashley were in the engine room and the front three was Steve Taylor, Simon Barraclough and debutant Ben Kistell. Nathan Benger was joined on the bench by Brown and Williams.

 

A strong wind blowing down Nethermoor Park made for a scrappy first half. Guiseley attacked instantly but a clumsy handball by Hanson brought that opening foray to a premature finish.Matlock broke forward immediately for Barraclough to be fouled by Dunne and Dickenson did well to hold Lukic's powerfully struck free kick.

 

Bett volleyed wide after skipper Richard Dunning collected a wayward pass from Webster and Andy Richmond comfortably saved a Hanson header following a cross from Bailey Camfield on the right. But Matlock were easily holding their own and home centre half Danny Ellis was first into referee Adrian Holmes' notebook for cynically pulling back Steve Taylor in the 22nd minute. Webster, this time, took the free kick and as Lukic's try did earlier, it ended up being well held by Dickenson.

 

Matlock won another free kick as Barraclough was impeded by James Cotterill, but Lukic wasted this with  shot which was yards too high.

 

Then from a Guiseley free kick, Dunne's driven shot hit home forward,Gavin Knight and just as it appeared that the Gladiators would deservedly reach half time on level terms, disaster struck.

 

A breakdown in communication between Richmond and Lukic saw tham leave the ball for each other. Hanson saw the danger and went down as Richmond challenged him. Mr Holmes was quick to point to the spot, even though minimal, if any contact had been made by the goalkeeper on Hanson. BETT struck the penalty into the top left hand corner and Guiseley had struck at a crucial time, literally seconds before the whistle.

 

To their credit, Town came out in positive mood after the break and could and should have been level. Dickenson made a mess of a deep cross from Taylor, Kistell skipping past him to pull the ball back for Webster whose efort was charged down by a possee of home defenders. Then Kistell fed Webster once more only for the midfielder to fire high over the bar, before Nathan Hay made a trenendous challenge to halt Taylor who had latched on to Hannigan's long pass.

 

But the best chance fell to Barraclough on 56 minutes. Finding room as he cut in from the right, his low blast was kept out by the long and strong outstretched leg of Dickenson. Had that gone in, the game would have taken on a different complexion.

 

Guiseley though, made the most of their escape to take a firm grip with two goals in three minutes.

 

A terrible 58th minute error by Richmond, who got nowhere near Hay's lofted ball in from the right, was punished by HANSON whose gentle flicked header found the vacant net. It was the softest of goals to concede. He could have done little about the third goal as Knight crossed from the left and DUNNE stooped to score with a deft header into the bottom corner.

 

Hanson was booked, and in many ways was lucky in the present climate to stay on, for an awful two footed tackle on Circuit. Matlock battled on and ended the game with five strikers on the pitch, including Hall, as Nathan Benger replaced Neil Ashley.

 

And the visitors got the goal they deserved when Kistell, showing excellent control on the left flank swung in a cross which LUKIC, up supporting the attack, swept home with a delightful finish over Dickenson.

 

Matlock maintained the pressure as Guiseley defended stubbornly. Both Lukic and Laight had efforts blocked following a corner, although Bett might have given the match a totally unreflective look as he shot wide after Richmond had blocked his first effort.

 

In the dying minutes Guiseley were reduced to ten men as Dunne retaliated on Circuit after the Gladiator had brought him down. Players from both sides rushed in and after calm had been restored, Dunne went for first use of the showers and Circuit was booked.

 

There were positives to take in defeat with Laight again having an impressive game in an unaccustomed wing back role. Hall was solid at the back and Kistell, when fully match fit, looks as though he could be a handful for opposing defences.

 

But in the end, Matlock were left to reflect on what might have been. The penalty was harsh to say the least, but they contributed to their own downfall through unforced errors.

 

MATLOCK TOWN: Richmond, Laight, Circuit, Ashley (Benger 72), Hannigan, Likic, Webster, Hall, Taylor, Barraclough, Kistell. Other subs: Brown, Williams.

 

REFEREE: A Holmes (Ponefract)  ATTENDANCE: 402  STAR MAN: Ryan Laight.