Super Ross was this time super sub as the UniBond Premier League's top scorer netted both goals which put a dent in Guiseley's title ambitions and threw the race wide open going into the penultimate weekend of the season.
Ross Hannah was pulled off the bench in the 62nd minute to replace former Guiseley striker Nathan Joynes, and remarkably within forty seconds he had volleyed the Gladiators in front. The table toppers equalised two minutes later thanks to a fine strike from Simon Johnson, but they say you can't keep a good man down. and so it proved when a fearsome Hannah strike could only be helped into the net by Lions' goalkeeper Jon Worsnop eight minutes from time to earn the Gladiators another fantastic victory.
Nathan Benger stepped down to the substitutes bench in the one change from the starting line up which had brought a point home from Kendal last Saturday. Mark Haran replaced him, playing at centre back alongside James Lukic with Adam Yates in at right back agaion and Kristian Witcombe operating on the right of the midfield.
It was more of a game of cat and mouse in the opening exchanges which saw little goalmouth action. A Steve Warne drive swerved wide for Matlock on 6 minutes before seven minutes later Guiseley full back Dave Merris broke down the left to pull back a centre which Matty Young hooked over.
Guiseley suffered a blow as full back Dave Briggs went off with hamstring trouble on 22 minutes. Three minutes later Matlock won a free kick which was headed goalwards by Joynes and Dene Cropper followed up to illegally challenge Worsnop.
The best chance so far fell to Guiseley after 31 minutes when captain Jerome Fitzgerald met a corner with a firm downward header which was scrambled aside by Adam Sollitt. After a purposeful run and cross from Ben Algar was cleared, Guiseley broke forward for Liam Needham to meet Adam Muller's cross from the right with a thumping header which flashed inches wide. But the assistant's flag was raised, so any Matlock jitters were swiftly discarded.
Matlock finished the half strongly as Joynes met a smashing Cropper centre from the left to head a decent chance marginally too high. Then Liam King was only denied by a magnificent diving save from Worsnop. The midfielder's cracking left footer looked like nestling just inside the post until Worsnop dived spectacularly to his right to tip the ball away for a corner.
It was nip and tuck after the interval until Hannah's introduction changed the game.
A marvellous diagonal volley after chasing a ball down the left comprehensively beat Worsnop for HANNAH's opener with what was most probably his first touch of the ball. What a substitution by boss Mark Atkins!
Two minutes later though the contest was again all square as JOHNSON cut in from the left to beat Sollitt at his near post with a cracking twenty five yarder.
Losing the lead so quickly was surely a body blow for the Gladiators and yet another test of their character. Once again Matlock did not disappoint.
Both sides looked for a winner. Hannah proved he was human with a timid finish straight at Worsnop on his weaker right foot after being fed by Cropper. Then Sollitt held a deflected Steve Burton effort before a super challenge by Scott Brough on the same player prevented another chance at the expense of a corner.
Hannah was judged offside by the assistant with a decision that on television would have needed a good few looks, Cropper not being able to benefit from Hannah's square pass across the box, and seeing his strike ruled out. Cropper, again playing with great energy, pressurised Worsnop into a poor clearance which fell to Witcombe who was only a foot off registering his first Matlock goal with an instant volley over the top.
The Matlock pressure was building as King's persistence saw him worry Guiseley into another error before shooting narrowly wide. But with Hannah in the side, Matlock always look to have goals in them and the crowd favourite obliged on 82 minutes with a strike which Worsnop will have nightmares about, but Hannah and the Matlock fans will savour.
Collecting the ball out on the right some thirty yards out, HANNAH advanced a couple of paces before hitting a ferocious shot which Worsnop could only push into the net at head height.
Guiseley staged a late bid to find a second equaliser. Sollitt grasped another Burton effort and a Merris twenty yard free kick was comfortably charged down.
A Hannahesque attempt from Warne from forty five yards was caught by Worsnop as Matlock saw out the game with an efficient defensive display and sensible clearances.
Once again Matlock left the field to a warm ovation. Hannah took the plaudits and star rating, but there were loads of other excellent performances worthy of mention. All of the back four were outstanding, Warne and King again industrious, Witcombe again did not look out of place and Ben Algar was not frightened to take his full back on and tracked back well to cover. Up front both Joynes and Cropper worked hard, while between the sticks there was debate on the terraces as to whether Sollitt might have kept out the equaliser, in fairness it was a quality hit, and the goalkeeper was again inspiring and confident.
Retford's home win against Whitby now means that Matlock cannot reach the play offs, but it has been an outstanding last two thirds of the campaign in which Matlock's hard work and spirit has reaped its reward.
MATLOCK TOWN: Adam Sollitt, Adam Yates, Scott Brough, Liam King, Mark Haran, James Lukic, Kristian Witcombe, Steve Warne, Nathan Joynes (Ross Hannah 62), Dene Cropper (Nathan Benger 84), Ben Algar. Subs not used: Darren Cartwright, Nick Buxton.
REFEREE: Matt Walsh--Sheffield. ATTENDANCE: 304. STAR MAN: Ross Hannah.
