Matlock Town 4 Stourbridge 1

With Paul McCone returning to the team after his switch from Hednesford Town this week, and Reece Hales available after missing the FA Cup ties against Shildon, manager Gary Hackett reverted to a 3-5-2 formation. Kristian Ramsey-Dickson began alongside Hales in attack, and Luke Benbow returned to the bench after a fitness test.

The early stages were fairly even but the home side took the lead on 18 minutes when McCone conceded a free kick at the corner of the penalty area and James Ashmore's direct effort took a deflection off the wall to creep into the corner of the net past a despairing Dean Coleman.

That setback paled into insignificance moments later when Billingham, in attempting to charge down a clearance, seemed to catch his studs in the turf before collapsing in evident agony. Both clubs' medical staff were quickly on hand to treat Ben before he was carried off on a stretcher still in obvious pain and distress.

The game resumed after a ten-minute break and it was the Glassboys who looked to take the upper hand, culminating in an equaliser from Jordan Fitzpatrick who turned in the penalty area before firing low into the corner of the net from ten yards.

With neither side creating many clear openings thereafter, the game looked to be well-poised at the break.

However, it was Matlock who took an early second half lead on 49 minutes when Coleman missed a dipping cross which left the unmarked Philip Roe at the far post to guide his header into the empty net.

With Drew Canavan already on for Billingham, and Jean-Michel Gueyes brought into the fray at half time in place of Peter Till, Luke Benbow was introduced as the Glassboys' third and final substitute on 54 minutes, but the game took another turn for the worse on 66 minutes when Jordan Fitzpatrick was shown a straight red card for a lunge on Josh Meade the halfway line.

And there was further bad news 15 minutes from time when Benbow crumpled in a heap and could take no further part in the match, reducing Stourbridge to nine men.

Nine became eight on 78 minutes when Will Richards hauled back a Matlock player in the penalty area to earn another red card for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity. Daniel Holland sent Coleman the wrong way from the spot to put the result beyond any remaining doubt.

The final goal came in stoppage time when Lavelle White was allowed time and space to pick his spot past Coleman from eight yards.

The result leaves Stourbridge in 17th place, just two points above the relegation places and with much to ponder on.

A bad day all round for the Glassboys, but first and foremost our thoughts are with Ben and his family. A full update on his injury can be found elsewhere on the website and we will endeavour to keep supporters informed on his progress.