Steve Jones, of Nantwich Town

New boss Phil Parkinson tasted defeat for the first time as Nantwich Town lost 2-1 at Matlock.

Dabbers new signing Elliot Osborne started, while injured Cliff Moyo was replaced by Shaun Dowling.

Nantwich started well and applied pressure, but the hosts had the opening chance when Jamie McDonagh’s shot was blocked by Andy White.

Max Harrop saw his free kick fly just over after Kosylo was brought down.

On 24 minutes, Otis Kahn was brought down just outside the area by Ben Harrison.

Kahn got up and powered the free kick into the back of Smith’s net to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.

Nantwich responded well with Harrop forcing Kennedy into a good save.

Matlock thought they were 2-0 up, when a free kick was headed in by Meade unmarked at the far post, but it was flagged offside.

Nantwich picked up two bookings in a minute with Harrop and Kosylo seeing yellow.

And it got worse for the Dabbers, when the hosts made it 2-0 in first half injury time.

Dowling was beaten by McDonagh who then fired past Smith from close range.

Sean Cooke’s late volley almost reduced the deficit, but it was well saved.

Nantwich made a change at the interval with the injured Mark Jones replaced by his namesake Steve.

Jones almost scored with his first touch, but a covering defender was able to clear for a corner.

Harry Clayton was close to pulling one back when Kosylo picked the ball up off Jones and fed him.

The former Crewe youngster had another chance on 53 minutes. He cut inside but his shot was tame enough for Kennedy to drop onto.

The hosts looked for a third and Harrison had to make an inch perfect tackle when Danny Frost broke through.

Nantwich were briefly down to 10 men with Dowling receiving treatment for a bloodied nose.

The Gladiators tried to take advantage and Kahn broke through and smashed a shot high and wide.

On 71 minutes, Jones did pull one back for Nantwich when a low cross found the former Northern Ireland man who stroke home following good play from Cooke and Clayton.

Winslade was almost a Dabbers hero when Harrop played him in but the forward’s shot was inches wide.

Nantwich piled forward looking for the leveller in the final few minutes.

White’s cross was too strong for the men at the back stick and it ran out for a goal-kick.

As the game entered five minutes of injury time, Nantwich pressed but the Matlock defence stood firm.

In the final minute of injury time, Harrop was shown a straight red for an off the ball incident.

Nantwich are on the road next weekend when they visit Frickley Athletic.

Nantwich Town: Smith, Dowling, Bailey, Harrison, M.Jones (C), Cooke, Osborne, Clayton, Harrop and Kosylo Subs: Winslade (on for Kosylo, 69 minutes), S.Jones (on for M.Jones, 46 minutes), Mannion, Moyo and Hartley.

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