Jerome Wright's strike, just seven minutes from time, gave FC a deserved win over a jaded matlock outfit who were beaten for the first time in eleven outings at Gigg Lane last weekend.
It was a pity that Matlock had to lose their final match of an overall vastly improved season, but while it was a case of the effort being there, the extra spark, which has been their hallmark, sadly wasn't.
However, despite the defeat, Matlock clung on to seventh spot in the final league table of the campaign, edging out local rivals Buxton on goals scored. The Bucks will be kicking themselves for allowing bottom markers Durham City to score twice at the Silverlands last weekend when Buxton hit six.
Talking of Buxton, there was a Buxton in goal for Matlock as goalkeeper coach Nick Buxton stepped in for groin injury victim Adam Sollitt. Darren Cartwright and Danny Wood were also handed starts in place of Dene Cropper and Ben Algar, Algar attending the game on crutches after being carried off at Pride Park in Matlock's Derbyshire Senior Cup Final victory.
In front of a massive 2871 crowd, boosted by free admission to under 18's and a couple of coachloads of fans from the now defunct Chester City,it was an even start with Simon Carden shooting weakly wide for the hosts, and Matlock's Steve Warne, an ever present for the Gladiators this season, scooping harmlessly over after being fed by Nathan Joynes.
Wright forced a United corner on the left which centre back Dave Nugent headed over. A fine James Lukic challenge halted a run from the always menacing Carlos Roca before Matlock broke for Ross Hannah to force a corner which came to nothing.
United then upped the tempo to have Matlock firmly on the back foot. Chris Ovington's long range attempt was deflected wide for a corner which saw Mark Haran then produce a fine block to deny Ovington again. Then Buxton showed just why he is such a reliable deputy for Sollitt. Roca's great run saw him set up Wright whose cracking shot produced an equally impressive diving Buxton save. No wonder the Matlock fans, outnumbered, but gamefully attempting to make themselves heard, chanted "There's only one decent Buxton!"
In the next minute, Buxton could do nothing as Matlock had a real escape when Wright's shot strruck the foot of the post before Scott Brough knocked the ball behind out of harm's length. two more United corners followed before Buxton was again prominent in tipping a header from centre back Mark Ayers over the bar.The tidal wave ended with full back Kyle Jacobs firing well too high. United came again for Buxton to punch clear from Roca after Ben Deegan's flick on.
Matlock finally mounted an attack after a fifteen minute assault when Ross Hannah, looking to add to his 37 goal tally, drove behind from a narrow angle, which on another day this season, might have flew in. Joynes then had a chance but waited too long as the United defence crowded him out. The half ended with Ovington firing wide with Buxton confident of the shot's final destination.
In a purposeful start to the second half, Matlock nearly found the breakthrough within two minutes as Liam King drove forward and was denied by a fine stop from Ashton. Joynes then had a shot charged down before in the 49th minute, Hannah found space on the left to deliver a teasing low centre which Cartwright sliced wide at the back post.
United 's response was a run and cross from Roca which was superbly defended by Lukic, who then was a touch relieved when he deflected a header against his own bar as he tried to clear a Deegan cross.
Matlock defended impressively throughout with Lukic, Haran, Adam Yates and Brough all producing fine challenges at some point or other.Buxton then held a long range effort from Roca, before Brough had chance to suupplement the Gladiators attack on the left, but the full back's shot was charged down.
There had been no goals so far but plenty of incident and honest endeavour.
More good defensive work from Matlock kept the scoreline thus far blank while at the other end, efforts from King and Hannah sailed over the bar.
Roca again shot into the arms of the well placed Buxton and fine challenges from King and then Brough stopped the United winger from causing any harm.
But with Matlock looking as if they would earn a good final day point, WRIGHT found room on the right to beat Buxton with a well driven angled twenty yard shot which found the far corner with unerring accuracy.
Haran and Carden were booked as frustration took over following a minor melee in the United half. Hannah met a cross from Yates bit could only force a routine save from Ashton as Matlock, simply had little left in the tank following a gruelling final two and a half months of the season, to find a leveller.
But the travelling fans clapped off their favourites, safe in the knowledge that they had given their all, and had been given a much better campaign by a set of players who have been totally committed to the cause.
MATLOCK TOWN: Buxton, Yates, Brough, King, Haran, Lukic, Cartwright, (Witcombe 58), Warne, Joynes, Hannah, Wood (Benger 67). Other subs: Cropper, Sollitt.
REFEREE: B Toner--Darwen. ATTENDANCE: 2871. STAR MAN: Nick Buxton.
