In one of the best games for a neutral from this season, Matlock Town squandered a 2-1 half time lead and in the process lost their unbeaten home record.
Tenth placed Heaton Stannington provided stiff opposition and posed a threat from the start. The Gladiators would, however, take the lead on 17th minutes with Cameron Wilson converting from the spot after Ben Sault had been tripped in the area.
The visitors levelled on 25 minutes when the dangerous Errington beat the offside trap and slotted home past the returning Myles Boney.
Just when it looked likes the sides would go in all square at the half, Washington fed the ball through to Kiyani Clayton on the right and his pin-point cross saw debutant Ryan Viggars dink the ball over keeper Gordon from close range.
Although the home side began the second half with positivity, Milambo showing his attacking prowess to shoot narrowly wide, they couldn’t put the game away. An inspired Declan Eratt-Thompson made last ditch tackles on more than one occasion but Heaton finally got their just rewards as a deep cross was converted by Leighton Hopper at the back post.
Milambo went close again, this time being thwarted by the feet of Gordon. On 78 minutes Matlock went close, great work on the left found Washington only for his goal bound shot to be superbly blocked by a Heaton defender. The moment proved pivotal and it was the visitors who looked the more determined. The sucker punch came two minutes into added time when a lose throw-in caused panic and a poor clearance was seized upon by Hopper who slotted home past Boney.
