Matlock left it late to preserve their unbeaten home record as Steve Warne struck with just two minutes left of a frustrating game for the Gladiators.

 The Pitmen looked like repeating their 1-0 victory of last season at the Geoquip Stadium when Lee Whittington celebrated his debut after signing from Harrogate Town, by firing his new club into a 23rd minute lead.

Matlock had huffed and puffed in the second half and there was a huge sigh of relief around the Geoquip when the goal finally arrived.

Illness ruled out Paul Riley thereby giving a full debut to recently acquired Matty Caudwell while Dene Cropper got his first start of the season in attack, replacing Steve Taylor in the two changes from the line up beaten at Fleetwood.

Play was fast and furious but with few clear cut chances in the opening exchanges although Hednesford edged things being quicker to the ball than Matlock. The Staffordshire side won an 11th minute free kick some twenty two yards out which Tom Marshall smacked fiercely inches wide. It was a scare for Matlock. Then the speedy Mario Pedro crossed long from the right and Andy Richmond backpedalled to palm the ball to safety and as Hednesford maintained the spell of pressure a Steve Palmer strike was deflected wide.

Pedro got in behind the Gladiators rearguard but his control let him down as he teed up a Matlock clearance which was huge and it needed a desperate interception from visiting custodian Rene Gilmartin to deny Warne who had raced forward on the left.

 A tremendous first time 25 yard volley from Ashley Woolliscroft whistled a foot too high before both Hednesford's Palmer and Matlock's Steve Circuit were booked in quick succession for mistimed challenges on a greasy surface as the rain began to team down.

For the second time in three days a defensive error was to prove costly for Matlock as Andy Richmond got neither height or distance on his 23rd minute clearance. WHITTINGTON, who had a trial with Matlock a couple of years ago, intercepted and instantly curled a magnificent thirty five yarder back into the empty net, although Ryan Davis retreated quickly in a vain attempt to keep the ball out. It was a well taken goal but Matlock would again be kicking themselves.

Then Matlock might have not only equalised, but also could have gone in front.

 Five minutes after the goal the industrious Matty Caudwell found Cropper with an astute low pass which saw the big striker turn swiftly only to fire a low shot which rebounded off the inside of Gilmartin's left hand post before being hastily cleared. In the next breath Warne had sent Simon Barraclough speeding clear and with only Gilmartin to beat, Barraclough blazed carelessly over the bar.

Caudwell was having a fine match despite having to run from a deep full back position and another excellent pass released Barraclough to push a 33rd minute effort narrowly wide. Then Ryan Laight's lofted pass was a touch too strong for Cropper as Matlock had reacted positively to falling behind.

The chances dried up for Matlock after the interval as Hednesford sat back defending in numbers and making life hard for the hosts.

In fact they might have doubled the lead two minutes into the second half when Tom Marshall blasted high and wide when well placed following a half clearance from a corner.

There was promise when Caudwell burst forward to deliver an exquisite centre which Marshall did well to head clear. Then a Barraclough assist was a little too far in front of the advancing Warne.

 Matlock were pleased to see Dominic Heath slip a shot narrowly wide and Pedro was also off target before Caudwell was pushed further forward in a sensible move from the Matlock bench.

Matlock needed to feed Caudwell more down that left flank as he looked to be their best hope of saving the game.

But with Matlock struggling to find the important killer ball, Hednesford looked destined to hold on to their lead although Marshall was mightily relieved to head inches past his own post and a Ryan Laight cross had Gilmartin stretching as it dropped on top of the net.

Then on 87 minutes a better chance finally came their way as Laurence Hall turned on a short knock from Barraclough after initial good work by Caudwell, to pull his shot half a yard wide,.

That first home reverse was beckoning as the fat lady was stretching her tonsils. But Matlock came again for Steve Taylor to work an opening from which his left foot shot hit the bottom of the post. WARNE reacted quicker than anyone to drill in the rebound and earn Matlock their point. Hednesford boss Phil Starbuck was far from pleased claiming that Taylor was offside in the build up. But Matlock at last got the rub of the green, having earlier had a penalty claim refused when Warne went down under challenge from Ross Adams.

Matlock did not do quite enough to warrant maximum points in what was a well contested affair. They have taken just three points from the last fifteen on offer, but that late equaliser should be a boost for them ahead of Saturday's FA Cup trip to Harrogate Railway Athletic.

MATLOCK TOWN: Richmond, Laight, Caudwell, Circuit, Davis, Lukic, Webster (S Taylor 64), Warne, Cropper (Hall 59), Barraclough, Ashley. Other sub: Kirkwood.

REFEREE: S G Cooke (Mansfield Woodhouse) ATTENDANCE: 336 STAR MAN: Matty Caudwell.