Connolly's dramatic last-gasp goal earned the ten-men Miners a point after a late Matlock comeback looked to have rendered all for nought first half goals from Tweddle and Ejupi.

This was a first ever meeting between the two sides, the only connection being a match Garforth played at Denaby United back in October 2000. Matlock's own visit to Guiseley was postponed at late notice, and having already set off a group of Gladiators supporters descended on Tickhill Square. With both sides then playing in yellow, the Matlock fans adopted The Miners for the evening, and both duly roared Dave Harrison's struggling side to a 3-0 victory.

Back to the present and Harry Viggars and Charlie Marshall were back in the starting lineup, allowing Owen Marshall to fill in at holding midfield which in turn saw Matthew Savage pushed upfield to replace unavailable captain Dan Coupland. Rinor Ejupi was in midfield once again, replacing the unavailable Jay Davis, with goalkeeper Harry Flatters donning the captain's armband.

In an end-to-end start to the game a good strike by Luke Aldrich was tipped over the bar by Matlock keeper Myles Boney. Cameron Wilson's mazy run for the home side looked dangerous, but his shot was well over the bar. On 14 mins Diego Di Girolamo found himself clear in the 18-yard box when played through by Wilson, but his miskick allowed Flatters to claim. Jeremie Milambo likewise came close moments later after tricking his way past defenders, but he too couldn't test Flatters.

The Miners looked to hit the Gladiators on the counter, and found themselves ahead on 17 mins when Max Tweddle's harmless-looking shot was dropped into the net by Boney. Milambo sliced wide at the far post after a right wing cross was half-cleared as the Derbyshire side sought a quick reponse. His frequent ventures forward left his side open on our right however, which we looked to exploit. Another break forward saw an Aldrich effort held by Boney, then from Tweddle's free kick to the far post Jordan Emery headed just wide.

Matlock were handed an advantage on 41 mins when Charlie Marshall's challenge on Declan Eratt-Thompson was deemed to be high, and the midfielder was promptly sent off. Town quickly shook off this setback however by doubling their lead just before the break. Harry Colville's cross was fumbled by Boney, and Rinor Ejupi was on hand to bundle the ball into the net.

The second half saw Garforth penned in their own half for long periods, but for much of it a resolute defensive display frustrated the home side. Sub Connor Washington curled a shot around the far post on 52 mins, then on 72 mins Montel Gibson blazed over the bar from a right wing cross. Washington fired beyond the far post after a foray in from the left, then the same man stepped up for a free-kick in a dangerous position shortly after but it was straight at captain Flatters. Town understandably started to tire however and on 83 mins the home side, who'd remained patient, were back in it when Gibson headed in sub Kiyani Clayton's delivery. With the bumper home crowd finally stirring, the comeback was on and the equalizer came four minutes later when Milambo's cross evaded a defender and found Diego De Girolamo who duly smashed into the net. The Proctors Cars Stadium then erupted four minutes into injury time when a ball into the box fell to Gibson who controlled and rifled into the net to make it 3-2 and his second of the match.

Dramatic stuff indeed and with still two minutes of injury time remaining, it looked likely the home side would add another to really rub salt in the wounds. But in a final twist to a topsy-turvy evening, Town made the most of their only clear-cut chance of the half to salvage a point. A punt forward was only half-cleared by the home defence and the ball came to sub Connolly who's arrowed shot took a wicked deflection into the top corner, and it was away supporters' turn to celebrate a point that felt like a victory. A first competitive goal for the midfielder since his return to the club in February.

Had Garforth kept eleven men on the field, things may well have turned out differently, but Paul Marshall's men continue to show their fighting spirit when the chips are down. After a lie down for both those playing and watching, we're in FA Trophy action this Saturday when we host Ashington (kick-off 3pm).