An Easter Monday Tarmac Silverlands crowd of 2,456 saw Buxton beat Matlock Town 1-0 and move exceptionally close to the Pitching In Northern Premier League title and promotion to the National League North. With one game left, the Bucks are three points ahead of only rivals South Shields and have an 11 goals advantage in the goals difference table.
Dan Cowan hit the only goal of the Matlock game after 17 minutes, as the Bucks compensated for Saturday's disappointment, when they let a 3-2 lead slip in the closing stages at Mickleover, as Shields scored a last-gasp winner over FC United of Manchester to close the gap to goal difference. On Monday, it was South Shields' turn for closing stages heartache, as their visitors Whitby Town grabbed an 89th minute winner. Match Reports HERE
Buxton team manager Steve Cunningham said that there must be no letting up next Saturday at Stalybridge Celtic. "We have to treat it like any other game, one that we must win. We'll go flat out for all three points." Shields will go to relegated Grantham Town.
Chairman David Hopkins and his board have backed the manager through several difficult months of injuries to key players, providing the funds to help cope with what looked like a selection crisis at times. Their unwavering support has paid off.
After the Matlock game, David said: "There's still work to do but we've broken the back of the task. I am elated and so proud of everyone at the club. We haven't won it yet and we need another professional performance on Saturday but I'm sure the lads will give our incredible fans that final boost."