Stafford Rangers 0 Matlock Town 1 - Report
Stafford Rangers were left reflecting on the fine margins between victory and defeat after a defensive error and missed penalty saw them beaten by Matlock Town.
It was the Boro’s second defeat by a single goal in three league games, the other a 1-1 draw against Grantham Town on Tuesday night.
On this occasion Marcus Marshall capitalised on an 80th minute Matthew Hill defensive error to give the visitors the lead before Rangers' Josh Green saw his last gasp penalty saved.
“It's fine lines,” said Rangers joint manager Alex Meechan.
“There has been nothing in the opening three games in terms of quality (to separate sides). Nobody has really torn us apart or got in between us.
“We said at half-time today that the team that made the mistake would be the one who got punished.
“Unfortunately for us it was our most experienced and he doesn’t make a lot of mistakes and they have punished us.
“We had a little reprieve at the end with a penalty, but we are disappointed. We have to bounce back quickly, we have to be better and more clinical.”
After netting last week against Lancaster City Evan Garnett went close to an opener for the hosts, only to see his effort saved.
With nothing to separate the sides it was Hill’s error that allowed Marshall in to net the winner.
However, the Boro were handed a lifeline in the third minute of injury time when referee Ryan Williams awarded them a penalty.
Green stepped up but goalkeeper Jon Stewart was equal to his effort.
Teams:
Stafford Rangers: King, Bignot, Hill, Jones, Burns, Harvey, Bailey-Jones, Green, Charles, Garnett, Haworth (Davies 78)
Unused subs: Burns, Dixon, Briscoe, Sherratt
