For much of the game the Gladiators appeared to be the better side, but following a crazy twelve-minute period in the first half with two goals flying in for each side the Scholars moved into top gear, and it was they who would prevail in a cracking contest.

The hosts certainly had the better of the first 20 minutes of play, with Ryan Price in the Chasetown goal tested by a cross from the left and a low shot from Ross Hannah while the latter also struck the woodwork, while Mark Branch went close for the Scholars on 14 minutes but his free kick fizzed past the far post.

Ramone Stephens then played in Dean Perrow but the Matlock defence were able to counter his attack, while Hannah found the net following a corner on 20 minutes but the goal was disallowed for pushing.

The visitors opened the scoring on 22 minutes. DAVE EGAN latched onto John Branch’s cross and his header evaded Adam Sollitt’s outstretched hands to put the Scholars ahead. Their lead was shortlived, however, as almost straight from the kick-off COLIN MARRISON popped up unmarked in the box and smashed the ball past Price to equalise.

Moments later the Scholars were back in front as a BEN JEVONS drive from outside the area flew into the roof of the net, but the pendulum would again swing back in favour of the Gladiators. Dave Bridgewater’s free kick on 28 minutes ended up on the adjacent cricket pitch, and four minutes later a mistake by veteran Jon Richardson allowed HANNAH to round Price and slot home Matlock’s second equaliser.

The rest of the half was somewhat calmer, Jevons finding Chasetown’s only chance but his header was pushed round the post by Sollitt.

Half time: Matlock Town 2 Chasetown 2.

There was no let-up in the action after the break, Egan’s cross flying straight to Sollitt and Richardson clearing a corner, while Marrison repeated Bridgewater’s feat of finding only the cricket pitch with his effort on 65 minutes.

Matlock had a second goal disallowed on 70 minutes, Dene Cropper heading home only to be adjudged to have leaned on a defender in the process. The Gladiators’ frustration was exacerbated five minutes later when Stephens squared a ball from the defence to GARY HAY allowing the striker to fire Chasetown back in front as Sollitt scrambled fruitlessly back towards his line.

Three minutes later the ball was squared to HAY once again, and the striker had little trouble in beating Sollitt for his second and Chase’s fourth.

Grant Ryan had been well involved since replacing Perrow midway through the half and his 81st minute shot was blocked for a corner from which captain Richard Teesdale headed wide, while the Gladiators threw extra players forward and the change almost paid off as substitute Ben Algar fired inches over Price’s crossbar on 84 minutes.

Matlock would pull one back in the final minute as HANNAH headed home
his second from a cross from the right, but it was too little too late and Chasetown clung on for the three points.

Matlock: Sollitt, Yates, Featherstone, King, Haran, Lukic (c), Bowler, Warne, Cropper, Hannah, Marrison. Subs: Algar (Featherstone 79), Wood (Cropper 74), Knowles (King 82), Buxton.

Chasetown: Price, J Branch, M Branch, Richardson, Bridgewater, Teesdale (c), Stephens, Egan, Hay, Perrow, Jevons. Subs: Ryan (Perrow 67), Saunders, Edwards, Swann-Horler, Peel.

Referee: Mr M T Jones

Attendance: 316