​Campbell strikes late to earn Matlock Town a deserved point against Warrington Rylands

It was Campbell’s first goal in a Matlock shirt since arriving from Kettering Town and it couldn’t have been timed better, the Gladiators having been probing for an equaliser throughout the second-half as they tried to get something out of a game they didn’t deserve to lose.

It stretched Matlock’s unbeaten run in the league to five games, with new boss Ryan Cresswell’s men now finding their feet after the club’s turbulent start to the campaign.

A quiet first half-hour saw few openings, Sam Smart and Sean Ekaluku seeing half chances fail to trouble the visitors.

And it was then Rylands who promptly went in front, as a ball into the six-yard box found Will Russ who guided the ball home from a narrow angle and via the underside of the crossbar.

Matlock nearly levelled instantly when Montel Gibson’s stunning overhead kick struck the post from Ekaluku’s dinked cross.

The second-half saw Matlock really kick into gear. Gibson saw an early effort well saved by keeper Luke Pilling, while Harry Wood and Reece Kendall also saw efforts go too high and saved respectively.

Adam Clayton was controversially denied a stunning equaliser from distance when the referee opted to call play back due to a Rylands player being on the ground injured, though he was soon up without requiring treatment.

Pilling then denied sub Jake Thompson whose powerful low shot was blocked by the keeper’s legs.

Just when it was looking like it wouldn’t be Matlock’s day, Clayton’s corner from the left found Campbell six yards out who rose majestically to powerfully head home the equaliser.

There was still time for Gibson to blaze a volley over the bar from a narrow angle when it looked easier to hit the target, then Campbell scored again from a Gibson flick but was denied by the assistant referee’s flag as Gibson was in an offside position.

So three points weren’t to be, but it was another encouraging performance all round from the improving Gladiators side.​