Yates was again required, as Trinity didn't clear their lines, beating away a Callum Chippendale drive from twenty yards. Teenage Jovon Makama started to come into the game and created something out of nothing as he tied Marcus Marshall up in knots. His curling effort from Trinity's right deflected behind for a corner. As time ticked down to half time, Makama tested Joe Young, the on loan Wolves' shot stopper getting down well to deny the Trinity man at his left hand upright. The ball just not dropping quickly enough for Makama to make the perfect contact.
At the other end, Yates again had to be at his best as Liam Hughes got on the end of a deep cross to the back post, the 'keeper doing brilliantly to travel across the face of his goal and spread himself well to deny Hughes, ensuring parity at the break.
Half time: Gainsborough Trinity 0 Matlock Town 0
Matlock started the second half in much the same way they started the first. And it required the intervention of Prosper Keto to keep the scores level as he headed off the line from Hughes' thumping header. And Trinity's defensive heroics provided a platform and set the stage for Makama to produce a moment of magic. A free kick on the edge of the box was brilliantly lifted up and over the wall by the teenager, giving Young no chance. And Gainsborough had the lead!
Top scorer Bradley Grayson
was unleashed just past the hour mark, and he timed his run to perfection. Latching onto Elicha Ahui's defence splitting pass, Grayson looked to round the 'keeper, only to be denied by good goalkeeping. And with the Holy Blues failing to grab a second, the Gladiators soon made Trinity pay in somewhat controversial circumstances.
Hughes levelled, nodding home from close range from Hannah's clever flick on, before Hannah himself was on the scoresheet to complete the turnaround when he poked home from Byrne's cushioned header back into the danger zone.
Despite going behind, the home side weren't about to go down without a fight. Grayson worked the goalkeeper when he got in down the Matlock left, before late substitute Cursons was brilliantly played in.
Unfortunately, the angle was against the forward & despite the 'keeper making a good save, teammates were perhaps better placed. There was still time in six additional minutes for one more opportunity. Only for Grayson once again to be denied by the impressive Young, with virtually the last action of the game.
Matlock emerging victorious from the game, but knowing that they had been taken all the way by a fully committed Gainsborough Trinity side who now turn attentions to Ashton United next weekend.
All good runs come to an end sometime... the challenge now is starting the next one. And we'll do it - all in it together!
Gainsborough Trinity
Matt Yates, George Hornshaw, Proper Keto, Neal Bishop, Stefan Galinski, Callum Minkley, Joe Parkin (Alex Wollerton 79) Elicha Ahui, Jovon Makama, Toby Gould (Bradley Grayson 62) Cieron Keane (Tom Cursons 84)
Subs not used: Isaac Rice & Morgan Worsfold-Gregg
Matlock Town
Joe Young, Adam Yates, Callum Chippendale (Liam King 86) Ioan Evans, Ryan Qualter, Mark Lees, Alex Byrne, Alex Wiles, Liam Hughes, Ross Hannah (Reece Webb-Foster 76) Marcus Marshall (Terry Hawkridge 62)
Subs not used: Luke Daly & Finlay Phillips