Matlock Town: Gladiators claim precious points thanks to Jackson

Source: Derby Evening Telegraph

Monday, March 09, 2009, 07:30

JAMIE Jackson fired a late winner yesterday to give Matlock Town precious points in their battle to avoid relegation from the UniBond Premier Division.

But FC United of Manchester left Causeway Lane baffled by the manner of their defeat.

In Carlos Roca, FC United had by far the best player on the pitch but they wasted their chances and Matlock, needing three points desperately, got them thanks to a Jackson's late show.

Roca took advantage of a terrible back-pass from Danny Wood to give United a ninth-minute lead.

That had been Roca's third chance, at that stage having failed with two earlier attempts.

United continued to hold the upper hand but, out of the blue, Matlock levelled in the 35th minute when Jackson crossed for Dene Cropper, who netted with a fine downward header to level the score.

United continued to look the more likely side in the second half, as they pushed the Gladiators back.

But Matlock, with a poor defensive record in this campaign so far, defended stoutly and goalkeeper Paul Pettinger made a couple of fine saves.

Roca hit the post but Matlock survived and the hosts could have snatched victory earlier than they did when they won a penalty in the 88th minute after a handball.

But Gladiators' leading scorer Ross Hannah saw his spot kick superbly saved by Sam Ashton.

However, two minutes into added time, Hannah put his miss aside to set up Jackson's winner.

MATLOCK TOWN: Pettinger, Brough, Riley, King, Foyle, Laight. Jackson (Yates, 92), Warne, Cropper (Benger, 61), Hannah, Wood (Featherstone, 61). Other subs: Thorpe, Buxton. FC UTD OF MANCHESTER: Ashton, Carden, Garner, Moses, Tonge, Nugent, Chappell (Whitman, 77), Baguley (Dieyet, 77), Lomax (Williams, 69), Wright, Roca. REFEREE: S Ledger (Barnsley). ATTENDANCE: 1,038.