Matlock’s surprise comeback

INJURY-RAVAGED Matlock fought back from 3-1 down to gain an unlikely point.

The first half was a tale of three penalties.

The Pitmen were by far the sharper early on, with Jordan Lemon’s block denying them, but from it Hednesford kept up the pressure and Adam Yates fouled bright spark Daniel Sweeney who netted.

Home goalkeeper Ross Durrant pulled off a fine save from Lewis Archer as Matlock faltered before Yates cleared an Archer effort off the line.

A second penalty for a foul on Sweeney by Lee Beevers saw Hednesford double the lead. There looked to be only one winner now!

But a crazy push on Yates saw Craig Westcarr reduce the deficit.

Poor defending saw Sweeney complete his hattrick two minutes into the second half, but Matlock showed tremendous spirit.

Jamie Jackson forced the ball in from close on 61 minutes when goalkeeper Josef Bursik failed to hold Westcarr’s free kick.

And then Jamie Jackson returned the compliment, a swift break and penetrating cross to Westcarr at the far post saw the former Nottingham Forest striker squeeze the ball home to rescue a dramatic point eight minutes later.