The penalty was one of several strange decisions by referee Gareth Mellor, but the Blues can have no excuse for allowing Town to pinch the points.

Gavin Allott put a first time 20 yarder just over the bar in the third minute, while former Frickley midfielder James Ashmore had to be helped off in the eighth minute after a collision with Jimmy Ghaichem.

The home side were forced to make a substitution in the 14th minute, Allott feeling his hamstring injury and Chris Wood coming on.

A free-kick by Ghaichem in the 18th minute saw Danny South head across the face of goal, and Frickley went in front four minutes later when Ghaichem collected a ball on the right and rifled a low 20 yard drive into the opposite corner of the net.

Matlock lacked any pattern, and the Blues almost improved in the 38th minute, Terry Barwick winning the ball in midfield, playing a neat one-two and striking a strong shot into the side netting, and Ghaichem then raced from the halfway line and hit a 30 yard drive which floated just wide of the target.

Matt Bloor whipped a ball in from the right which saw South meet with a strong header but it was cleared off the line after 52 minutes.
The most threatening Town attack came in the 57th minute when Ryan Laight tried to catch Tom Woodhead napping with a 35 yard drive.

Bloor shaved an upright with a 20 yard shot in the 58th minute, but Frickley's fire had dampened down, and it needed a good save from Woodhead to deny Martin Foster after 69 minutes.

Jason Yates overlapped on the right, winning the ball in the 71st minute and having a shot diverted behind while, from the corner kick, he went close with a 25 yard drive.

A rare break by Town led to their penalty in the 79th minute, Lewis McMahon putting them on terms, and when a cross from the right came in, Joe Leesley pounced to beat Woodhead from close range.

Frickley: Tom Woodhead, Jason Yates, Luke Jeffs, Terry Barwick, Scott Hellewell, Tom Johnston, Dave Buck, Matt Bloor, Danny South, Gavin Allott (Chris Wood 14min), Jimmy Ghaichem; subs not used, Andrew McCormick, Luke Hinsley, Blake Freeman, Ben Hallam.

Matlock: Jon Kennedy, A|dam Yates, Lee Featherstone, Martin Foster, Ryan Laight, Luke Foster. Brad Grayson (Ryan Hindley 65min), James Ashmore (Kris Bowler 8min), Lee Ellington, Lewis McMahon, Joe Leesley (Phil Rowe 85min); subs not used, Chris Witcombe, Nick Buxton.

Referee: Mr Gareth Mellor

Gate: 250.