Haslam keen to see Matlock Town tighten up defensively

Jason Miller’s side took the lead in tough weather conditions before Matlock took charge to go in 4-1 up at half-time.

A stirring second-half fightback saw Consett level before two late goals from Conor Washington sealed a win to remember for Matlock.

“We are beginning to look like a team who can attack very well. We concede quite easily at the minute, so it is brilliant for the neutrals,” said Haslam.

“It is three points, we just need to tighten up now and move forward.

“We should have controlled the game and frustrated them, but we didn't. We just remained positive. A lot of teams would have played out the 4-4 or gone and lost it, but we got the goals that we deserved.

“It was really difficult conditions and both teams did really well. We were very good in the first half, but, at 4-1, we didn't think the game was over and we just wanted to stay in the game and frustrate Consett.

“We shot ourselves in the foot and fair play to Consett for their energy and bringing it back to 4-4.”

Consett took the lead on 15 minutes following an excellent individual goal from Lucas Lowery.

A brace from Sam Giles put Matlock ahead before a close-range Ethan Kachosa header a Jed Abbey strike put the visitors well in charge.

Consett came out strongly at the start of the second half and reduced the arrears through Donny Holdsworth on 52 minutes.

Holdsworth added another on 71 minutes before the comeback was complete when Lowery got his brace with a long-range strike.

But it only served to fire Matlock into action with Washington’s close-range finish putting them back ahead.

And the veteran striker made the game safe with four minutes to go to hand Consett a first home defeat of the season.