Guiseley..............................1

Burton 58

Matlock Town.....................1

Cropper 55

Matlock thoroughly deserved the point they took from the home of the league leaders, who in turn saw their perfect start to the season spoiled by a hard working and enthusiastic Gladiators line up.

Dene Cropper's second goal of the campaign put them ahead on 55 minutes, but Guiseley quickly responded as Steve Burton levelled just three minutes later.

And one point for Matlock could easily have been converted into three as deep into stoppage time home custodian Piotr Skiba managed the faintest of touches to turn Liam King's free kick on to the bar.

Town also had to cope with the loss of top scorer Ross Hannah, not risked with a shoulder injury, so captain Simon Barraclough partnered Dene Cropper in attack with them employing a 4-4-2 formation, making them look more solid against a side which had crashed in six goals at Prescot two days earlier.

King and Simon Harrison provided the athleticism in central midfield, with Steve Warne and Jamie Jackson supplying width.

The back line was identical to that which ended the win over Whitby as Ryan Davis earned a recall at right back.

Guiseley were clear favourites to take the spoils, particularly having won five out of the last six tussles between the clubs, including doubles in the last two seasons.

But immediately, Matlock set out to make life hard for them, thrusting forwards to earn two early corners which gave Guiseley due warning that they would need to fight hard to maintain their 100 per cent record or even their unbeaten start.

The second one arrived when Cropper saw his effort deflected behind after Jackson's short but incisive pass had created the opportunity.

Matlock's bright start continued with referee Jason Knowles erring badly to pull up the fouled Barraclough in his tracks.

By the time the whistle went, Barraclough was still in control of the ball, but the Huddersfield official blew to award the free kick and Cropper's header ended up in Skiba's arms with the aid of a fortunate deflection.

Home captain Ryan Crossley was booked for a clumsy challenge on Jackson who had two men on him for all of the opening half.

He hurt himself carrying out his misdemeanour and limped off in the 16th minute.

Two minutes afterwards King drove a touch too high after Jackson's nifty footwork had teased the experienced Guiseley full back Dave Merris.

At last Matlock had to defend superbly as Ryan Davis did well to head clear a cross from Burton but in the main it was a match confined to midfield with very few scoring chances.

Cropper stole the ball off King's toes just before the interval, and then in their next attack they might have easily won a penalty when Jackson was both held back and tugged by his shirt by Merris, but Mr Knowles didn't want to know.