Just what is it about the third qualifying round of the FA Cup that Matlock don't like?

Once again a chance to progress and possibly play a big gun from the Blue Square Premier League, plus more prize money, publicity and prestige, went by the wayside as Matlock simply did not perform anywhere near their true capability.

And a bad day at the office was complete as Matlock finished the game with ten men after Dene Cropper's 58th minute dismissal.

 The difference between this and the Telford performance in the preceeding round was startling. Gone was the fight and the hunger for the battle so evident against the Bucks. Too many Gladiators appeared to just go through the motions and on the day it wasn't just good enough.

 With Paul Riley and Steve Taylor both unfit, Matlock retained the same starting line up which had drawn against Hednesford. The early exchanges were tame and shapeless although Gary Webster just failed to reach a forward pass from Cropper before Simon Barraclough fired well wide from distance.

But Matlock should have made more of a slice of good fortune which befell them in the 14th minute. Webster and Steve Warne combined before the latter's shot was pushed out by goalkeeper McLaughlin only for the ball to ricochet off the covering JAMES RILEY and back into the net.

 But Matlock were soon getting sloppy and Andy Richmond dived at Danny Davidson's feet before Paul Conway put a free header wide from a corner. However, Matlock did concede in the 20th minute as winger Littlefair had time to measure up his cross from the right and MATT MORGAN darted in unattended to net with a close range header at the back post.

This gave the initiative to the UniBond First Division North hosts who had the better of the rest of the first half, although the chances, albeit in the half chance category, came the Gladiators way.

Warne shot directly at McLoughlin and efforts from Cropper and Barraclough saiiled narrowly wide. But Rail went for their half time cuppa in front from a SCOTT RYAN free kick just before the whistle. Warne appeared to time his challenge on Littlefair to perfection but Hull official Matt McGrath, who got little right all afternoon, blew for a foul. Ryan curled a beauty around the Matlock wall.

 Matlock struggled for any rhythm as Harrogate pushed them back in the early stages of the second session.A fierce Morgan drive from thirty yards whistled inches too high before Cropper saw red for an alleged elbow on Riley.

Cropper maintained it was accidental but Mr McGrath could not wait to brandish his red card like an excited schoolboy finding a new toy. Laurence Hall replaced Steve Circuit as Matlock knew they had it all to do to save themselves.

Skipper Lukic, one of few Gladiators to impress on the day, headed narrowly wide from a 66th minute free kick, but equally, Rail might have scored again as Richmond did well to save from Morgan. A neat break saw Webster fire well off target but with Matlock committing men forward, gaps were appearing at the back, especially when LEE RYAN headed in Littlefair's cross to extend the hosts advantage with five minutes left.

But LUKIC made them sweat as he ran on to a Hall pass to slot confidently home just ninety seconds later. How Lee Ryan missed two sitters shortly afterwards only he will know, and he would have had a face as red as the Rail shirts had his team not survived an amazing escape in the dying seconds.

 Matty Caudwell's thirty yarder beat the diving McLaughlin to cannon against a post, hit the goalkeeper on his back and trickle inches wide. In the end Matlock were that close to an undeserved replay, but they could not hope for luck like that twice in the same match.

 Had everyone showed the enthusiasm and battling qualities of Lukic, maybe Matlock would be looking forward to being in last Monday's draw. As it was they were left to lament on a familiar exit at this stage of the competition, the third season on the trot that they have perished in a third qualifying round tie they should really have negotiated with comfort.

MATLOCK TOWN: Richmond, Laight, Caudwell, Circuit,(Hall 60) Davis,Lukic, Webster, Warne, Cropper, Barraclough, Ashley. Other subs: Kirkwood, Pidcock, Williams, M Taylor (g/k) REFEREE: M McGrath (Hull) Attendance: 254 Star Man: James Lukic.