JOHN Hill has praised his players' battling qualities after they forced a late winner against Matlock Town despite being down to ten men.

The Yeltz took all three points at The Grove last Saturday after an injury-time own goal gave them a hard-fought 4-3 victory.

Hill said: "It really looked like the writing was on the wall when we went behind after having a man sent of.

"This group is a resilient bunch and they never know when they're beaten.

"All the credit has to go to the players. It was all heart that got them through."

Hales had to dig deep in a pulsating game that swung one way and then the other as both teams took it in turns to be on top.

It was the home side that started the better and they took a deserved lead after just six minutes when Joe Hull vollied home at close range after a miscued clearance following a Aaron Griffiths corner.

At that stage The Yeltz looked well in control and Matlock well out of attacking ideas.

A big turning point in the game came on 35 minutes when Yeltz forward Aaron Daniels was given his marching orders.

It appeared the pacey front man swung an arm at defender Adam Yates as the pair came together as Sargeant looked to play a long ball in behind the Matlock back line.

From being in control and a goal to the good, Hales suddenly had a hard task on their hands.

Matlock wasted no time taking advantage of their extra man and drew level with a stunning strike from James Ashmore on 43 minutes.

He ran on to a Curtis Tilt clearing header a struck the ball from 25 yards out into the top corner to give Sargeant no chance.

Then, just two minutes later, Matlock were handed the opportunity to take a lead into the break after winning a penalty right on the stroke of half time.

Sargeant charged to the edge of his area in an attempt to punch the ball away from Leesley. The forward, however, got to the ball first with his head and went down under the challenge.

The ref pointed to the spot and Ashmore stepped up to make no mistakes for his and Matlock's second.

Like the first half, Halesowen again came out with real purpose in the second period.

Despite being forced to chase the game with ten men, it was the home side that applied the pressure.

It only took until the 49th minute for Ben Haseley to restore parity.

Aaron Griffiths then made it 3-2 after his shot was deflected past keeper Jon Kennedy.

However, the visitors made it 3-3 when Jason Stokes headed in at the far post after being picked out by Phil Roe.

But, failing to accept their fate, Hales piled forward looking for the winner.

A Tom Tonks' long throw was flicked on by Hull and met by Curtis Tilt arriving at the corner of the box. His left footed drive hit the post and went in off Sabo as he failed to adjust his feet in time.

The win lifts the Yeltz to 10th in the Northern Premier League table and just six points of the play-off places.

However, Hill reiterated his desire to push on to get enough points to guarantee their safety.

"We won't be getting carried away," he said. "Only when we get beyond 50 points will we start to look ahead. The quicker we can do that, the quicker we can see what else we can achieve."

The Yeltz will travel to take on third from bottom Marine this Saturday. The reverse fixture saw Hales lose 2-0 at home at the end of December.

"It won't be easy. They are a good side and have signed three players recently," he added. "We won't be paying any attention to where they are in the table."

Forward Iyseden Christie remains a doubt for the clash due to an ongoing hamstring injury.