Joint Gladiators boss Phil Brown was in a rueful mood after the derby defeat at the New Manor Ground.

 

"We snatched defeat from the jaws of victory" he said. Few would argue with his assessment. Having been the better side in the opening half, they found themselves in arrears at the interval, only to turn the game on its head and go in front. Instead of putting an Ilkeston side low on confidence to the sword, for some reason Matlock sat on their single goal advantage. Robins' manager Nigel jemson gambled by bringing on experienced strikers Martin Carruthers and Gavin Knight, and his bold move paid off as Knight struck twice to keep the points in the Erewash Valley.

 

Matlock undoubtedly missed the leadership and defensive qualities of skipper James Lukic, out through suspension. Tommy Hannigan was recalled in the centre of the back four alongside Ryan Laight, and other defensive changes saw Paul Riley make a welcome return at left back with Ryan Davis switching to the right full back berth as Cameron Fearon was out through illness. Ben Kistell made the starting line up replacing the injured Matty Caudwell. The former Staveley and Hucknall man operated down the right with Gary Webster on the left. Laurence Hall partnered Simon Barraclough in attack with Steve Taylor joining Neil Ashley and full back Phil Austin on the bench.

 

The New Manor Ground looked in pristine condition as Matlock attacked almost immediately for Ilkeston goalkeeper Phil Senior to clear from Hall after the striker found himself on the edge of the hosts' penalty box from Ryan Laight's forward pass. Then Riley showed why he is a potent threat attacking down the left from deep. He started the move, linking with Webster before ending it by firing an acrobatic effort beyond Senior's left hand post.

 

A Kistell free kick drifted narrowly wide before Senior charged down a Barraclough strike. The tiny striker turned provider with a great turn away from Nathan Winder to feed Hall whose power packed drive sizzled wide.

 

The Gladiators first scare came on 19 minutes when Riley hacked clear a Jon Douglas header following a right wing corner, but Barraclough was soon causing problems again at the other end when he spotted Senior off his line but the Ilson number one was soon back in position to field the long range attempt following good work by Nathan Benger. Matlock maintained the pressure for Hall to head at Senior from a Davis cross and Benger turned sweetly to shoot goalwards but again Senior was in just the right place to keep his gaol intact.

 

The Robins took an undeserved 40th minute lead when Justin Walker threaded a pass down the inside right channel for ADAM MULLER to run on to and squeeze a neat finish beyond Richmond.

 

Benger had taken a knock and was replaced by Ashley for the second half which began with Richmond comfortably holding a Douglas header but within five minutes the Gladiators were back in the match.

 

Kistell's free kick from the left came back off the bar with Senior looking totally bemused and BARRACLOUGH forced the ball home from close range. It was just the boost Matlock needed after falling behind and eight minutes later they were ahead. Captain for the day Steve Circuit, who worked tirelessly all afternoon, crossed from the right and HALL's looping header beat Senior to strengthen Matlock's hopes of continuing their 100% record at the New Manor Ground.

 

Richmond blocked superbly from Douglas to keep Matlock in front, but there were worrying signs as the visitors retreated deeper and deeper, literally inviting Ilkeston to come at them. All they had to do was to carry on harrassing a brittle looking home defence but when Carruthers found KNIGHT at the back post with twenty minutes left, the on loan Guiseley striker crashed his shot firmly past Richmond to set up a tense finale.

 

Senior did well to keep out a Kistell shot low to his right and a cross from Circuit fell just beyond the far post before KNIGHT struck again with nine minutes to go. It was a superbly taken goal, but again he was allowed too much time and space for comfort as he piocked his spot from twenty yards with a measured drive into the far corner.

 

Ilkeston brought on the experienced  Barry Woolley for Muller soon afterwards to shore up the defence and there was to be no way back for Matlock, who in many ways had been the architects of their own downfall.

 

The three points they had given away would have been handy as they look for a top eight finish and they would have provided extra daylight in a congested mid table area from the chasing clubs.

 

Some fans believe Matlock are not safe from the drop, but they should have enough quality to stay handily clear of danger The sooner they can collect two or three more wins, the better. It had been a frustrating afternoon and once again they paid for their mistakes.

 

MATLOCK TOWN: Richmond, Davis, Riley (Austin 60), Circuit, Laight, Hannigan, Webster, Benger (Ashley 46), Hall (Taylor 71), Barraclough, Kistell.

REFEREE: D Plowright (Mansfield)  ATTENDANCE: 416  STAR MAN: Steve Circuit.