A 99th minute equaliser by Jameel Ible secured the Lions an important point in their play-off push, writes Ivor Timmis.
The Lions made two changes to the side which won at Hebburn: Will Longbottom and Gabriel Johnson came in for the injured Jake Lawlor and Jack Emmett. Lebrun Mbeka dropped back into his centre back role.
The wind and the bobbly surface meant the opening exchanges were scrappy, though Matlock were more fluent in possession. Nevertheless, the first clear chance fell to the Lions when Liam Ridehalgh found Ollie Brown at the far post whose header was palmed out for a corner by Ellis Litherland.
On 15 minutes, the Lions failed to clear their box properly, the ball was lobbed back in and the dangerous Montel Gibson had an easy finish from close range.
A rare poor kick from Joe Cracknell was followed by a loose clearance by Ridehalgh, symptomatic of the Lions first half struggles.
A promising break by Johnson was ended by a scything challenge by Josh Granite which brought the first of Matlock’s seven yellow cards in the match.
Lewis Whitham held off three players in the box with a jinking run but couldn’t find enough power in his shot under pressure.
On 32 minutes Litherland in the Matlock goal was booked for persistent timewasting. It was a puzzling tactic as Matlock were a goal up, playing well and had the wind behind them.
A neat passing move by Matlock then led to a fine close range save by Cracknell off Gibson.
Right on half time, Matlock forced a sequence of corners, including one almighty scramble. At the other end, John Lufudu turned on a short pass from Longbottom in the box, but his shot went over, and the game remained 0-1 at the break.
The Lions made a bright start to the second half and on 47 minutes Longbottom passed up a chance to equalise from a great Ollie Brown cross when he headed over unmarked from close range.
Lufudu then dispossessed a Matlock defender and fed Johnson whose shot was charged down.
The visitors remained dangerous on the break and, within a few minutes, Gibson had two one-on-one chances, both of which Cracknell saved.
Still the Lions pressed, throwing Mbeka up front and caution to the winds. Whitham and Johnson both produced good saves from Litherland and Brown looped a header on to the bar. But Matlock defended their area well and the Lions couldn’t find the breakthrough.
The board went up indicating 11 minutes added time, which was no surprise given the visitors incessant timewasting, which continued right until the final whistle.
Mark Bower brought on new signing Nathaniel Muenda for his debut. Relief came in the 99th minute when Mbeka kept the ball alive after a cross into the box and knocked the ball back to Ible who rifled in a low left foot shot for his fifth goal of the season, a good return from centre back.
There was still time for more action as the referee added four more minutes to the 11 in response to further timewasting.
A reckless late challenge on Ridehalgh led to a fracas involving most players on both sides.
Right at the death Whitham nearly grabbed a close-range winner but the ball bobbled agonisingly wide.
Lions Boss Mark Bower felt the second half performance merited at least a point and probably three. He also felt a hard-fought match against determined opposition in difficult conditions might serve us well should we seal our play-off position, which we are in a very strong position to do as we are 11 points clear of Ilkeston with five games remaining.
Guiseley AFC 1-1 Matlock Town | Saturday 29th March 2025 | Nethermoor Park
Attendance: 697
Team: 1. Joe Cracknell, 2. Ollie Brown, 3. Liam Ridehalgh, 4. Prince Ekpolo (87′ Ackroyd), 5. Lebrun Mbeka, 6. Jameel Ible (C), 7. John Lufudu, 8. Adriano Moke (70′ Spencer), 9. Gabriel Johnson, 10. Lewis Whitham and 11. Will Longbottom (90+3′ Muenda).
Subs: 13. Jack Dallimore (GK), 14. Jamie Spencer, 15. Sam Bentley, 16. Joe Ackroyd and 17. Nathaniel Muenda.
