Matty Kosylo was Nantwich Town’s hero as he secured a point for the Dabbers away at Matlock Town, writes Richard Scott.
Kosylo scored his 13th goal of the season just after half time and Nantwich could have won it with chances towards the end.
Jon Moran was rested with Mat Bailey starting in the centre of defence. Danny Griggs was among the subs instead of Troy Bourne.
The Dabbers were quick out of the blocks and on two minutes Liam Shotton played in Lewis Short from an Elliott Osborne cross, but the left back’s shot flew over the bar.
On five minutes, Hancock sent a curling shot just wide of the goal after some nice play from Captain Sam Hall to find him in space.
Josh Hancock had the first shot on target on 17 minutes when he cut inside from a throw in, but the shot from the edge of the area was tame.
Matlock’s first effort came on 20 minutes when Purkiss had a shot from well outside the area well wide of Smith’s goal.
The Dabbers should have opened the scoring on 28 minutes when Short’s cross found Matt Bell, who should have hit the target from around six yards out but blasted over.
The hosts took the lead against the run of play on 37 minutes when a free kick was deflected out for a corner by Josh Hancock.
From the corner, the ball pinballed around the box and found its way into the back of the net.
The goal was awarded to Joel Purkiss.
Nantwich looked to level things up instantly when Hall shot wide from outside the area after great build up play.
The Gladiators were then reduced to 10 men as Travis was sent off for an off the ball incident which left Osborne with a head injury.
After a motivational half-time team talk, the Dabbers were level two minutes into the second half.
Kosylo forced Willis into an excellent fine save when he broke clear, conceding a corner.
Bell took a short corner to Osborne who whipped it into the near post where Kosylo was lurking to divert home for the leveller.
Bailey could have given Nantwich the lead on 58 minutes when he turned in the box but fired his shot just wide.
Sean Cooke came on with 25 minutes to go as Nantwich searched for the winner.
But it was the hosts’ sub Danny Holland who went close, rattling the bar with a glancing header.
Nantwich threw everything at the win and Bell went close on 80 minutes when he dragged his shot wide after Shotton had played him in.
Jones then skipped past his man and crossed for Shotton in the six-yard box, but the striker leaned back too far and blazed his effort over.
The draw sees the Dabbers stay seventh in the league table.
On Saturday, Nantwich entertain National League side Dover Athletic in the quarter finals of the FA Trophy.
Nantwich Town: Smith, White, Short, Harrison, Osborne, Kosylo, Hall (C), Shotton, Bell and Hancock. Subs: Jones (on for Hall), Moran, Cooke (on for Osborne), Griggs and Burzynski.
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