Amar Purewal made an immediate impact creating two chances in the first 10 minutes. A cross from the right was nearly met by Robbie Spence, but the ball just evaded him.

Moments later, Purewal then rounded Matlock keeper Adam Hayton, but his attempt hit the post.

In the 14th minute, a supercharged cross from Noble ended with the ball just outside of the goal frame.

However, the Gladiators looked to hit back a minute later as Fouad Bachirou forced a brilliant save from Kieran Hunter.

The home side continued to push for the opening goal as Hunter was forced into action again as he pulled off a miraculous triple save from Montel Gibson moments later.

A chance then fell to the Hornets in the 20th minute as Dan Savage struck a shot into the hands of Hayton.

In the 30th minute, Matlock’s Finlay Tunstall was seemingly brought down in the Hebburn box, but the referee waved away their appeals, much to the frustration of the home side.

Both teams continued to press for the opening goal, but the score remained level heading into the break.

On 54 minutes, Joe Posthill delivered a cross from the left hand side, but Josh Granite was on hand to head the ball away from danger.

In the 60th minute, Daniel Moore opted for his first change as Liam Murray replaced Paul Van-Zandvliet.

Murray made an instant impact as he forced a corner off Joshua Smith in the 64th minute. Noble took the corner, and the ball fell to Savage, but the ball fell short of the goal.

On 68 minutes, Granite went into the referee’s book for bringing down Noble on the halfway line. Noble crossed the ball into the Matlock box, but Hayton claimed it.

The second Hornets change came on 72 minutes as Dan Savage was replaced by Joao Gomes.

A major chance arose in the 79th minute for the Hornets as some nice tiki taka football saw Gomes dribble into the Matlock box, before laying the ball back to Noble who played a 1-2 with Murray, who set up for Posthill to slot home, but the referee blew for offside.

Hebburn continued to push for a late winner as in the 84th minute, Noble played a lofted pass over the Matlock defence towards Gomes, he lobbed the onrushing Hayton, but a defender got back to clear the ball away.

In the first minute of stoppage time, Purewal made his way off the pitch and Olly Martin made his way on.

The referee blew for full-time shortly after which saw the points shared.

We’re back in action next weekend as we welcome Worksop Town FC to the sportsy next Saturday.

Att: 687
MOTM: Matthew Elsdon