SUPER Steve Jones blasted a stunning hat-trick to send Lancaster City into the next round of the FA Trophy but the Dolly Blues had to dig mighty deep to get past Matlock.

Down 2-0 inside 30 minutes, City were not at the races in a first half horror show and only snatched the game in extra time with penalties looming.

Jones was the hero of the fightback as his terrific treble won the game and booked City another home tie against Bromsgrove Rovers in Round Two.

But only after a cup tie that thrilled on a freezing, wet night at the Giant Axe as City, who themselves threw a two-goal lead away on Saturday, ground out the win.

For the first half it appeared City had Milton Keynes on their mind and they fell behind to NPL outfit Matlock inside 11 minutes thanks to a Kris Bowler free-kick which sneaked in at the post past an unsighted Jamie Speare.

Things got worse for City after 28 minutes when Steve Taylor held Joe McMahon off maybe illegally before sending a rasping shot into the top corner.

City looked stunned and struggled to work any clear openings. Only a breathtaking Speare stop from a deflected Webster shot prevented Matlock having the tie won at the break.

Whatever boss Phil Wilson said to his troops had the desired effect as City roared into life and spent virtually the entire second half kicking in at the Matlock goal.

Peter Thomson was narrowly off target seconds after the restart and Ryan Zico Black's shimmy and shot on the turn also deserved a goal.

But the break came on 57 minutes as Black sent Thomson free and he in turn fed Jones 10 yards out 2-1 and game on.

And when Jones sent a fine header looping into the net from a Gary Bauress cross eight minutes later City looked certain winners.

Tony Sullivan on for Ryan Elderton was in his element and having a real game. Matlock couldn't cope with his pace but as the game went on the real star was Matlock keeper Kevin Tye.

Tye may have the sort of dodgy 70's haircut that gives the mullet a bad name and the most painstaking preparation for each goalkick but he also had the knack of keeping the game level.

The last 15 minutes were played out in the Matlock third of the field and Tye stopped stunningly from Bauress.

Then, with 10 minutes to go, Thomson broke free and lashed a thunderous 25-yard volley towards the top corner. .

Tye managed to lift his stocky frame full stretch to tip the ball to safety. He took a bang on his head as he landed and someone must have told him he was Lev Yashin as the keeper got better.

He went full stretch to deny Neil Prince, Thomson, Jones and then, the best of all, Sullivan with the last kick of normal time.

So the extra 30 minutes were played and City were stunned two minutes in as Gareth Williams shot Matlock back in front.

That lead couldn't last and McMahon headed City level from a Prince free kick as both teams tired.

And then, with just four minutes to go until penalties, a moment of Sullivan brilliance gave Jones the chance to complete his treble and win the game.

Boss Phil Wilson was pleased to get through but not happy with the display. He says: "We were dreadful in the first half; not in the game at all, but we did okay after the break and probably did enough to win."

CITY: Speare, Clark, Sparrow, McMahon, Hollis, Black (Dawes 94), Bauress, Elderton (Sullivan 58), Prince (Urberschar 119), Jones, Thomson. Unused subs: Yeomans, Stone.