Kendal Town 2-2 Matlock Town
Matlock's best away performance for a very long time brought them just a solitary point and not the win they deserved and in fact, very much needed.
A brace from skipper and man of the match Steve Warne looked like giving Matlock their first league win in three months, particularly when he surged forward to blast the Gladiators in front for a second time in the 55th minute. But Kendal, who could end up as play off contenders if results go their way, got out of jail with a penalty converted by Carl Osman, brother of Everton's Leon, seven minutes from time.
Only one of Matlock's three latest signings featured with Danny Wood, on a month's loan from Blue Square North Stalybridge Celtic, slotting in at right back. As expected, Paul Pettinger replaced Andy Richmond in goal, with the man to make way for Wood being Matty Thorpe, who dropped to the bench as Liam King lined up in midfield alongside Warne.
Kicking up the Lakeland Radio Stadium slope, Matlock wated no time in asserting their authority. Inside the opening minute,Dene Croper was fouled and when the free kick was floated in from the left, Cropper flicked on for the onrushing Aden Flint to nod over the bar. Wood's first contribution to the Matlock cause was nearly a memorable one as his nifty footwork saw him bamboozle two home defenders before a timely intervention from Dan Wordsworth stopped him in his tracks deep inside the Kendal penalty box.
Nathan Benger had a clear chance on 7 minutes when the ball dropped to him invitingly when a free kick had been partially dealt with, but although his shot was firm, it was straight at goalkeepe David Newnes.
Matlock were making fine use of the flanks and Jamie Jackson, in particular, was a threat. Full back David Standley was turned inside out by the former Spireite, but Jackson's cross was slightly too strong for Cropper. The tall striker was then a whisker away from connecting with a low cross from the left by Paul Riley as he scrambled desperately, but in vain, to make effective contact.
On 11 minutes when Lee Featherstone was brought down in full flight as he scampered up the left, Ryan Laight headed too high from the free kick. Matlock really needed to make their early superiority pay.
Kendal came into the game a little more but it wa still the Gladiators asking most of the questions. The visitors also had the wind with them, that wind would increase in intensity in the second half.
A good chance for Matlock arrived on 31 minutes when Jackson, again showing clever footwork and lightening pace, swapped passes with Benger, only to lift his shot both over Newnes and the bar.
A minute later though, Matlock had the lead their pressure had warranted.
Again Jackson was at the heart of it, feeding Benger, who in turn flicked on for WARNE to steer a difficult chance into the roof of the net from six yards.
Kendal could have no complaints about being behind. They were relieved it wasn't by more and there was more relief for them within three minutes as Jackson limped off with hamstring trouble. Wood moved forward on to the right of midfield with Ashley Foyle slotting in at right back as he had done at Buxton in the previous game.
Cropper headed a free kick wide before both Benger and Cropper went to meet a Riley cross with the former shooting narrowly past the post.
It took Kendal fully 41 minutes to find a shot at goal as Flint did well to block a Carl Osman effort. Then Callum warburton was always stretching so his long range drive flew high and handsomely wide.
But on 43 Kendal were level and it was a well worked goal with Lee Mulvaney driving forward to slip a neat pass to JORDAN CONNERTON to keep his cool to firecomfortably past Pettinger.
The half ended again with Matlock on the offensive with Warne dribbling through the home defence to supply Wood and the loanee's cross found Benger only for Newnes to block the shot well.
1-1 at half time was scant reward for Matlock's dominance. They had it all to do again.
Matlock's task might have been made a good deal easier as home centre half George Melling was fortunate to remain on nthe field in the 50th minute. Cropper was clean through when Melling hauled him back. A melee developed which according to referee Paul Brabin afterwards, stopped him from picking out the offending Melling and it was just Newnes who was booked for dissent.
But Matlock continued to call the tune with a desire that manager Atkins demands, as borne out by WARNE's second goal. Collecting possession just inside the Kendal half, Warne burst forward and simply kept going and going before striking a fierce and unstoppable 18 yarder into the roof of the net.
The gusting wind made defending tricky but Matlock appeared to be coping admirably as the anticipated Kendal surge got under way.When Kendal did make inroads into the Matlock back line, Pettinger was down well to save from substitute Danny Wisdom, but Matlock might have made the points safe on 71 minutes when Benger broke through but Newnes saved well.
That third goal for Matlock was really needed, particularly as Matlock seem to concede at least two goals a game. A header from Connerton struck the woodwork on 81 minutes as Matlock started to sit back. Osman drove straight at Pettinger before getting his side out of jail with seven minutes to go.
Benger, tracking back, caught Osman with what was probably a forward's challenge in defence and OSMAN slipped his spot kick calmly into the bottom corner, giving Pettinger no chance of saving.
Now it was important that Matlock did not throw away entirely all of the good work of earlier. It was time for strength of character and concentration but it was Matlock who might have still got the three points they so deserved when Captain Fantastic Warne burst forward once again. Cutting inside Wordsworth, his rising shot looked destined for the top corner until a deflection saved Kendal's day.
Witton Albion's 2-0 win at Marine saw Town drop a place to 21st. The Gladiators have now drawn their last three league games 2-2 and the performances have been more than acceptable. Atkins got the commitment and performance he expected and demanded in midweek. It's now time to convert those draws into wins--and quickly!
MATLOCK TOWN: Pettinger, Wood, Featherstone, King, Flint, Laight, Jackson (Foyle 35), Warne, Cropper, Benger (Barraclough 85), Riley (Thorpe 73). Sub not used: Pendleton.
REFEREE: P A Brabin-Bolton. ATTENDANCE: 192 STAR MAN: Steve Warne.
