Brad Maylett scores first, but Mark Haran forces replay for Matlock (From Northwich Guardian)

Brad Maylett scores first, but Mark Haran forces replay for Matlock

12:03pm Monday 23rd November 2009 in

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MARK Haran’s late leveller thwarted Albion, forcing a midweek replay.

It could have been worse for Witton had Matlock’s leading scorer Ross Hannah not been denied by keeper Joe Clegg in the last minute.

Gary Finley’s men deserved much more than that.

They led on 22 minutes when Brad Maylett’s sublime shot left Gladiators’ goal-minder Adam Sollitt with little chance after the former Northwich Victoria wing man had collected a weak clearance.

Jamie Tandy, who penned a contract with the Wincham Park club before kick off, tested the Matlock custodian with a cross-cum-shot then Lee Neville’s speculative effort forced a similar response.

In-form Peter Heler was next to go close, but once more Sollitt made a stop.

The contest was not without action at the other end.

Before Maylett’s strike Hannah had a chance with only Clegg to beat, but he failed to hit the target.

Substitute Nathan Benger, on for early injury victim Dene Cropper, headed over from Hannah’s assist too.

Sollitt twisted an ankle making a save to deny Carl Lamb, making way for reserve shot-stopper Nick Buxton between the posts.

What started out as a blustery day deteriorated in the second period as the rain began to fall and blow into the faces of Albion’s players.

Indeed good fortune was with the home side on 79 minutes when a corner on the right, swung in by Hannah, struck the crossbar from the head of Brian Pritchard.

Matlock got back on level terms seven minutes later.

Adam Yates created the opportunity, cutting in from the right, providing Haran with the chance to squeeze a shot past Clegg from the edge of the box.

Hannah had the chance to pinch it, but Witton’s number one was down quickly to his right to maintain parity.

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Witton Clegg (GK), Adams, Rudd, Pritchard, Neville, Heler, Broadhead, Henry, Tandy, Lamb (Foster 88), Maylett
Subs not used Vernon (GK), Hall, Brodie
Attendance 254