Matlock have only themselves to blame for this defeat at the Northern Counties East League title chasers, which meant their last realistic hope of silverware for the season had passed them by.

They should have been out of sight in an opening thirty five minutes which they dominated but a mixture of erratic finishing and excellent goalkeeping by the lavishly named Alessandrio Barcherini kept them out.

Then with only their second noteworthy attack, Glapwell went ahead and Matlock never rediscovered their early supremacy.

The night began badly when skipper James Lukic broke down in the pre match warm up and had to be replaced by James Kinsler.

But after a scrappy opening ten minutes, Matlock soon pushed the hosts back as they attacked down the slope using both flanks intelligently.

Jamie Donnelly-Jackson was working hard down the right while Matty caudwell and Paul Riley were linking effectively on the other side. Caudwell saw a fierce cross drive flash narrowly wide in the 11th minute before David Rimmington went equally close for Glappy two minutes later.

Barchareni then blocked well from Riley at his near post before Laurence hall sliced a lazy shot from a Donnelly-Jackson cross too high. It was a golden opportunity spurned.

Then Neil Ashley was brought down some 25 yards from goal and the midfielder curled an intelligent effort a foot past barchareni's right hand post.

Hall was then unlucky as Barchareni dived full length to tip aside his well struck long range effort and then Steve Taylor was denied by an two even better stops as it seemed only a matter of time before the Gladiators would forge their way in front.

But Glapwell, managed by former Matlock full back Les McJannett, assisted by ex Gladiators striker Kevin Gee, and having Town's ex defender Matt Varley in their line up, gave Matlock a nasty surprise.

The hosts\had the benefit of a contentious throw in decision go their way, and they made the most of it as Aaron Brady crossed from the right and RIMMINGTON was free to guide a free shot past Andy Richmond.

Suddenly Matlock were on the back foot, but after a dodgy few minutes they grabbed a lifeline when DONNELLY-JACKSON'S looping high cross from the right totally deceived Barchaneri to strike the far post and find the net. That goal a minute before the break should have been the catalyst Matlock needed to regain control.

But the Gladiators' second half display was hugely disappointing. On the whole their passing was dismal and they never carried banywhere near the same threat as earlier.

Sensing a scalp from two divisions higher Glapwell assumed control and as Matlock stood off him, midfielder Dave Cockerill tried his luck from thirty yards, his powerful strike skidding inches wide.

Richmond pulled off a last ditch save from Brady's diving header and when Donnelly-jackson failed to win the free kick he should obviously have been awarded after being tripped by Simon Wright, Glapwell broke at pace down the left to win a free kick of their own, hit goalwards by Cockerill and comfortably held by Richmond.

Hall was brought back into defence as Eugene Francis replaced Kinsler, but a minute later Matlock were left chasing the tie once again.

The Gladiators were given a taste of their own medicine as a fluky shot by BRADY found the target.

Richmond then saved well to stop Brady from scoring again and Matlock were to finish the game minus Cameron Fearon and Ashley, with Gary Webster filling in at full back as Jake Pidcock and Curtis Shaw came on in a late but ultimately vain bid to save their side.

Matlock quite simply never looked like forcing extra time although Taylor's 86th minute header from a well worked corner was ruled out by the assistant's upright flag.

So now Matlock can concentrate on the league. This defeat spelled out more than ever the need not only to get their experienced players back fit again, but the overwhelming feeling that experienced new blood is urgently required if they are to mount a play off challenge.

Matlock let Glapwell off the hook and they were made to pay dearly for their generosity.

MATLOCK TOWN: Richmond, Laight, Riley, Ashley (Shaw 87), Fearon (Pidcock 75), Kinsler (Francis 65), Webster, Donnelly-Jackson, S Taylor, Hall, Caudwell.
Other subs: Brown, M Taylor

REFEREE: J Thornhill (Ilkeston)  ATTENDANCE: 102  STAR MAN: Paul Riley.