Atkins finds reasons to be cheerful

Matlock Town boss Mark Atkins reckons his side's performances and results against two of the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League's title-challengers in the last ten days has offered Town fans real encouragment, not to mention Premier Division leaders North Ferriby United, writes Ian Richardson.

The Gladiators held both FC United of Manchester and then Hednesford Town to 2-2 draws and were good value for their point in both fixtures, insists Atkins.

The draw at Keys Park was against the odds, especially after they had been reduced to ten men in the 64th minute when captain James Lukic was harshly sent off with the match still scoreless. But Atkins gambled by introducing top scorer Lewis McMahon for his first taste of action since injuring ankle ligaments against Borrowash Victoria on January 29, and it worked a treat.

McMahon scored both Matlock goals, the second one a last gasp spot kick, to take his tally to 21 for the season to the delight of his manager.

Atkins said: "He played a lot longer than ideally we'd have wished but at 1-0 down and down to ten men we knew we'd need someone who can put a chance away should one come our way. Lewis is quality in that situation and it was a brilliant finish for his first just after he came on. It was a great chip and then he took a great penalty at the end. Hopefully he'll have had no adverse reaction and we'll continue to improve as our players come back."

Atkins was pleased with his whole team though and insisted it was a great point against a side that he'd rated as the best visiting side at Matlock so far this season.

He said: "I'm very pleased with both the result and the performance given the circumstances. The lads all played very well and matched a top side on their own ground and fully deserved at least a point. In some games there's been a lack of quality in the final third but we've scored four goals against FC United and Hednesford which is really encouraging."

Lukic's dismissal did not go down well with Atkins. "If the referee's going to give a penalty well then okay, but he should have understood it was a collision and while penalties do get given for collisions and 50-50 situations, to send James off was the wrong decision. He couldn't have been 100% sure it was a goalscoring chance, their attacker had his back to goal in any case.

"To have the penalty given against us was disappointing as it was to go 1-0 down. It was a big ask for the lads but they rallied and showed great positivity. Lewis got a great goal but then we went 2-1 down which was a downer but we still showed great spirit to come back and score from a penalty of our own."

It has been a tough run of games for the Gladiators who had faced Witton Albion and Chorley prior to their last two matches.

He added: "We might not have won any of those games but we've been in contention to win every one of them" Atkins maintained. "The quality's been there and even though we've had some lads missing, nobody can fault them for their effort."