A spirited late comeback at the BD Community Stadium earned the Gladiators a point at the death.
Just three points separated the sides before kick-off, and that is how it remains thanks to Connor Washingtons’ eighty first minute equaliser from the spot.
Matlock drew first blood on ten minutes when Matt Savage got his feet to score an own goal.
Just three minutes later, the Miners were back on level terms. Harris Eggleston ghosted on to a through ball to find the net with a clinical finish.
Within another three minutes, Garforth had dug their way out of an early grave. This time it was James Burgess with the strike.
More good Garforth chances after the break put Matlock in grave danger of defeat on the road, but wayward finishing meant they were never quite dead and buried, and Washingtons’ late leveller turned the last ten minutes into a thriller.