Saturday's 2-0 home win against newly-promoted Cammell Laird saw the Gladiators leap six places up the UniBond Premier Division table from 18th to 12th and they will be keen to build on what was a much-needed victory.

Joint boss Phil Brown was happy with the result, which Matlock needed badly after two successive league defeats which also followed an FA Cup exit at Ilkeston.

“We didn’t fully control it but we deserved the win without hitting the heights.

“The clean sheet though was very welcome and it will hopefully give Andy Richmond and the defenders a bit of confidence as Cammell Laird did not create that much.”

Midfielder Matty Thorpe’s contribution since winning his place back in the starting line-up was acknowledged by Brown.

“Matty’s done very well.

“Initially he impressed when coming on as a substitute at Guiseley and at Ilkeston and deserved a starting chance.

“He’s taken that chance, shown tremendous consistency and played really well in the last three games.

“Now his fitness is getting there, it’s good for both Matty and the team.”

Brown says that there is a real togetherness within the squad.

“There’s a fantastic spirit in the dressing room for the lads believe, like Gareth Williams and myself, that our performances have warranted more points than we’ve got so far.

“We’d like to think that very soon we’re going to get a really good performance for the three points and a few goals to boot.”

Marine have three more points than Matlock and are in seventh spot, and there is another tough game for the Gladiators on Tuesday night when third placed Guiseley visit Causeway Lane.

Both clubs recorded a league double over Town last season and if Guiseley avoid defeat at table-topping Ilkeston on Saturday, they will arrive in Derbyshire for the second time in three days as the division’s only unbeaten side.

“Both Marine and Guiseley are good sides so we know we’ll have to produce the goods, but also we know ourselves that we are capable of doing just that as we did up at Guiseley and against Eastwood at home,” said Brown.

There will be changes to the Gladiators side with striker Ross Hannah starting a three-match ban following his red card against Boston United a fortnight ago.

Defender Ryan Laight’s very harsh sending off against Hednesford Town has resulted in a one-match suspension and he will sit out just the Guiseley clash. Dene Cropper should be favourite to replace Hannah while Brown and Williams have a tough decision to make in defence ahead of Saturday regarding Ashley Foyle.

Foyle has probably been Matlock’s most consistent defender so far this season but he has missed the last two matches with knee and ankle injuries.

“We’re very hopeful that Ashley will be fit for Saturday but really we need him to be 100 per cent right,” said Brown.

Meanwhile, utility man Paul Riley has had his knee operation and is in good spirits.