Three priceless points for Matlock saw them leap from 18th to 12th in the table and condemn the Lairds to bottom spot.

Goals from skipper Simon Barraclough in the tenth minute and substitute Dene Cropper a minute into stoppage time at the end of the game proved to be the difference in a match which for the most part was scrappy.

Certainly Matlock had played far better and offered more entertaining fare in their two previous matches which ended in defeat, and, strangely enough, all three Matlock wins this term have come from performances which haven't been their best.

Retaining the side beaten 4-0 at Hednesford on Tuesday due to Ashley Foyle failing a late fitness test, there was little goalmouth action to a cheer the crowd on a warm sunny afternoon.

A seventh minute burst down the left from winger Matty Caudwell opened up the Lairds, but Ross Hannah was eventually crowded out when the visitors regrouped.

Ryan Laight could only clear a Chris Adamson cross as far as Luke Holden, but Andy Richmond comfortably held his 20 yard strike.

But the Gladiators drew first blood with a well worked goal as Steve Warne, who, along with Matty Thorpe, ran the midfield, found Hannah on the right of the penalty box with a simple but penetrating pass.

Hannah looked up to cross low for Barraclough who fired into the roof of the net from six yards.

That should have been the stimulus to send Matlock on to greater things but the game became bogged down in midfield.

A bizarre moment saw Richmond, trying to mop up at the back, require two headers to clear on the edge of his box and thankfully his geography didn't let him down as he retreated enough to claim Chris Adamson's first time effort.

But the Lairds main, and sole threat really, came from set pieces as Lee Atherton headed wide and John Collins nodded at Richmond, both from left wing corners.

Liam King was also tidying up well with a number of intelligent interceptions, snuffing out what was generally a pretty impotent threat.
And Matlock should really have been going in at half time two goals to the good as on 42 minutes,

Lairds presented the ball on a plate to Barraclough who could only fire at goalkeeper Richard Whiteside when clean through.

The rebound looped up towards Hannah who nodded into Whiteside's grateful arms.

The second half got under way with Gary Webster shooting at Whiteside, but then the Gladiators struggled to gain a stranglehold on the game.

In a bid to remedy this, Jamie Jackson replaced Caudwell and then both strikers were replaced as Matlock opted for height and strength with the introduction of Dene Cropper and Nathan Benger.

And Jackson nearly made an immediate impact as he streaked away down the right to cross low for Barraclough whose shot was blocked before Hannah's low strike from the rebound unluckily struck Barraclough before trickling out for a goal kick.

Lairds continued to have an equal share of the play and the introduction of former Buxton marksman Mark Reed certainly pepped them up, but they still rarely looked like finding a way through the Matlock defence.

That was until the 86th minute when Eddie Jebb's cross from the right was met forcefully by substitute Richie Foulke.s but Richmond produced a splendid fingertip save to turn the effort on to the bar before the ball was lumped clear.

That save proved to be doubly important as at long last the Gladiators put the match to bed a minute into stoppage time.

Jackson cut in from the right to feed Cropper with an inch perfect short through pass and the big striker did the rest, comfortably tucking his shot under the unprotected Whiteside.

So the vast majority of the 259 crowd went home happy with the victory which, although unspectacular, was solid.

Matlock could not afford to lose this game and they didn't look as if they would, particularly after Barraclough's early strike.

In a workmanlike show, Matty Thorpe again impressed with his tremendous work ethic, winning countless challenges and then playing a simple, but effective ball.

Steve Warne was his usual industrious self, while Liam King, Ryan Laight and Ryan Davis all showed the solidity required to keep that much needed clean sheet.

Matlock Town: Richmond, King, Featherstone, Thorpe, Laight, Davis, Webster, Warne, Hannah (Cropper 64), Barraclough (Benger 64), Caudwell (Jackson 56). Other sub: Harrison.
Referee: M Bristow (Manchester)
Attendance: 259
Star man: Matt Thorpe