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Saturday 5th April - Matlock Town 2-2 Frickley Athletic

Rocked by a couple of early strikes, Frickley showed strength, skill and character to come back in the second half and share the spoils at Matlock.

Only two minutes had elapsed when Jamie Jackson cut inside from the right, beating Chris Gowen, and then firing past Jon Hood from 12 yards to give the Gladiators a dream start.

While the visitors tried to play constructive football in difficult conditions, they were caught on the break in the 17th minute, Dene Cropper running into the ball and striking a drive from the edge of the penalty area which seemed to go through Hood and into the net.

A free-kick on the left by Chris White caused consternation in the Town defence in the 25th minute and Danny Walsh had a 15 yard drive blocked, while White picked out Neil Towler two minutes later,only for his shot on the turn to be diverted to safety.

Another free-kick from White was met by Dean Jones in the 33rd minute, and his effort was cleared off the line as Matlock continued to absorb pressure and, when a cross from White was only half cleared in the 39th minute, Scott Turner drilled the rebound against Andy Richmond's legs.

The second half saw Jackson get away down the left for Town in the 47th minute and he crossed for Simon Barraclough to meet on the volley but Hood blocked the shot with his legs.

A deep free-kick was headed towards the home goal by Jonathan Groome in the 49th minute, but Richmond saved although he was beaten two minutes later when White cut inside Cameron Fearon and crossed for Towler to fire into the roof of the net from three yards.

Turner fired over from 20 yards following another probing run from White in the 56th minute, but Matlock responded and a deep cross by Jackson led to Jamie Lukic shaving the bar after 61 minutes, and Paul Riley was only inches wide with a 20 yard drive three minutes later.

A cross field pass from Chris Davies found White in the 68th minute but he fired straight at Richmond.

It needed a fine one-handed save from Hood to prevent sub Steve Taylor increasing Town's advantage with a shot from the edge of the penalty area after 75 minutes.

Frickley equalised in the 80th minute when Paul Riley handled a low throw from Rob Pell inside the box. Pell took the spot kick which Richmond managed to block but the striker followed up to slot the rebound just inside the the right hand post.

Four minutes later, a good run by White saw his deep cross turned back into the middle by Walsh with a chip by Davies producing a header from Towler which was well saved.

Hood flung himself to the right in the second minute of stoppage time to prevent Taylor grabbing a decider for Matlock with a strong shot.