Matlock Town v Bishop Auckland

Recap

The team and a small band of supporters made the long Tuesday night trek to face second placed Matlock, and competed well but ultimately were undone by some slick and potent attacking play.

Former Northern Ireland international Washington fired in the opener on 17 minutes as the ball dropped kindly for the forward in the box and the home side almost added a quick second, but a lob came off the face of Norton’s crossbar.

Roberts almost nicked in between defender and goalkeeper but was muscled out as Bishops tried to conjure an equaliser before the break.

A quality set piece delivery brought the leveller on 57 minutes when a right wing corner kick found the head of Spence, but parity was short lived as seven minutes later a quick move saw Norton bring down a forward with the penalty cooly dispatched by Wilson.

A crucial third goal for the ‘Gladiators’ was quickly added. Washington played in on goal and after Norton parried the initial effort, it was knocked home at the second attempt.

This was always going to be a tough fixture and it’s a return home on Saturday as Bishops’ require all three points against Hallam to keep any hopes of surviving the drop intact.

Match report by Gavin Hadden