Match Reports

In spite of yet another away defeat, Matlock's place in the UniBond Premier Division next season is secure with results elsewhere and next weekend's final day fixture list meaning they cannot finish in the bottom three.

All three goals in a generally scrappy encounter lacking goalmouth incident came from the penalty spot. Matlock at least did not concede on their travels from open play and at last showed a willingness to battle hard, qualities which have been lacking in some of their away performances.

Captain James Lukic replaced Ryan Davis in central defence having recovered from illness and with Cameron Fearon injured, Steve Circuit wore the number two shirt.

In a swirling breeze, Kendal attacked down the slope in the opening half and soon won a corner which was cleared before striker Gareth Arnison drove high and very handsomely wide from distance.

Matlock for their part were struggling to find any rhythm going forward and their first attempt at goal on nine minutes was something of a miscued cross cum shot from Matty Caudwell, who after being found by Paul Riley, saw the effort clip the top of the bar.

The first dangerous moment at either end came five minutes later as Carl Osman crossed from the right and the ball eventually reached Lee Mullvaney on the left whose fierce cross shot flashed across the face of the goal.

Jamie Jackson, who never really got into the game, then broke down the right with his cross bouncing up awkwardly off George Melling with midfielder Ian Kilford tidying up, shepherding the ball back to goalkeeper David Newnes. Then Riley failed to make hay from a promising free kick situation, twenty five yards out as his drive flew disappointingly wide.

Kendal then applied a spell of pressure which kept the visitors deep inside their own territory but coping well. Lukic was spoken to for fouling Arnison. The free kick was blocked and Osman, scorer of both Kendal goals in last Tuesday's 4-2 Matlock victory at the Geoquip Stadium, watched as his well struck shot was deflected wide.

But Kendal went in front thanks to a soft penalty award on 28 minutes. Osman was already on his way to ground as Lukic challenged and referee Greenhalgh pointed to the spot. Home player boss Lee Ashcroft showed no mercy as he drilled a superb spot kick just inside Andy Richmond's left hand post.

But Kendal could not build on their good fortune and luck eluded Matlock again four minutes from the interval. The Gladiators won a corner on the right which was clearede back to Lukic who set up Gary Webster to deliver a pin point cross to Dene Cropper whose fine header hit the inside of Newnes' left hand upright before rebounding into the grateful arms of the relieved goalkeeper.

Buoyed by that moment, Matlock came out after the interval in determined mood and almost immediately a snap shot from Simon Barraclough passed inches too high. Kendal though could have made it 2-0 with Lukic out of the game lying injured but Richmond produced a tremendous blocking save from Michael Cole to keep the Gladiators very much in contention. Shortly afterwards the Kendal midfielder curled a free kick from the left beyond the back post.

Two quick changes by the visitors saw Caudwell and Webster replaced by Ben Kistell and Matty Thorpe and soon Matlock were asking more probing questions of the home defence. Kistell's left wing cross was met by a power packed Ryan Laight header but Newnes was ideally positioned to save, as he was on 67 minutes when Kilford felled Thorpe in full flight and Kistell blasted the free kick hard and true but straight at the goalkeeper.

Another promising situation came to a disappointing end when Cropper escaped down the left. He might have shot himself but hoisted his cross into the middle and Barraclough was penalised for pushing.

Matlock made their final substitution with Nathan Benger, having taken a knock, making way for Ruben Wiggins-Thomas. And their hopes of ending their losing streak on the road were boosted with thirteen minutes remaining. Again, the spot kick award was a generous one as the official ruled that Barraclough had been sandwiched by Melling and David Standley. CROPPER made the most of it with a slick penalty past Newnes right hand, low into the corner.

Now Matlock needed to concentrate, but their joy was shortlived for Kendal were back in front from the game's third penalty awaqrd just three minutes afterwards.

Circuit was adjudged to have handled Osman's cross from the right and COLE nearly took Richmond's head off with ferocious strike into the roof of the net.

That proved to be the winner as Matlock could not fashion another dangerous opening. Kendal substitute Craig Hobson pushed an effort against a post with Matlock stretched, looking for the leveller.

But when the results from elsewhere came through, the realisation that the Gladiators were safe brought smiles to the visiting contingent. No more sqeaky bums!And a home win over Ashton United on Saturday could even see them finish as high as tenth.

MATLOCK TOWN: Richmond, Circuit, Riley, Benger (Wiggins-Thomas 69), Laight, Lukic, Webster (Thorpe 59), Jackson, Cropper, Barraclough, Caudwell (Kistell 55).