Matlock were left to rue their luck after a 90th minute winner took the points for Bradford in a game where the gladiators dominated much of the possession.
Matlock started the brightest and had their first chance on eight minutes when Dene Cropper turned sharply but his weak shot was saved. Minutes later, Matlock had a further chance as Lee Featherstone broke strongly and saw his long range effort just go over the bar.
On the quarter hour, Bradford had their best spell of the first half and after three dangerous corners Rob Pacey put through his own net to give Bradford the lead, much against the run of play
The next 20 minutes or so saw a scrappy period of the game with neither side able to get a grip on the game.
Bradford’s only other real effort in the first half saw Darren Hockenhull head wide from only eight yards out with the goal at his mercy.
On 37 minutes Matlock’s best chance of the half fell to Simon Barraclough and only a last ditch effort by the Bradford defence prevented a clear shot on goal. Maybe Barraclough would have done better if he wasnt hampered by a knock picked up minutes earlier, and he was replaced just before half time by Ross Hannah.
Matlock came out flying in the second half and on 50 minutes Liam King’s left foot shot was well held by Bradford keeper Jon Warsnop.
After being in total control in the second half, the Matlock goal looked sure to come and on 52 minutes Ross Hannah lobbed the keeper to see his effort strangely ruled out for offside by the linesman.
Matlock only had to wait one more minute however, as Steve Warne drove through the middle of the park and played a neat one-two with Ross Hannah before firing in from 12 yards.
Minutes later Warne looked set to repeat his effort and when fouled on the edge of the area, a Ross Hannah free kick was saved by Worsnop only for Dene Cropper to tap in and give the Gladiators the lead.
The travelling support aided by locals Jimmy Walker and Sam Brown
were now in full voice and could have been happier still if Liam King's free kick had sneaked past Bradford keeper Worsnop.
A double substitution midway through the second changed the balance of the game and the hosts started to pressurise a tired Matlock defence.
On 80 minutes Chris Bettney shot over when a goal seemed easier to score, but minutes later Rory Patterson smashed home from 12 yards when all in the ground assumed he was offside. Then Lee Featherstone cynically brought down Bettney as he forged into the box and from the resulting free kick Rory Patterson shot just wide.
In the last minute a moment of hesitation from keeper Andy Richmond gifted Bradford the points as he failed to get to the ball and Chris Hall nipped in to take the points for Bradford.
All in all, an excellent performance which again resulted in no reward for the Gladiators. It seems to be the story of the season so far, no luck and momentary lapses of concentration costing points.
BRADFORD PARK: Worsnop, Murphy, Hockenhull, Salm, Hotte, Bushall, Bettney, Connors, Moseley, Bett, Patterson. Subs: Thompson, Hall, Fisher.
MATLOCK TOWN: Richmond, Thorpe, Featherstone, King, Laight, Pacey, Webster (Benger 88), Warne, Cropper, Barraclough (Hannah 39), Pendleton (Harrison 61).
REFEREE: S. Hunter (Sheffield).
ATTENDANCE: 334
