Matlock scored early and late goals to lift the Derbyshire Senior Cup Final for the first time in six years at Pride Park's first final.
Liam King gave the Gladiators a 9th minute lead which was eventually added to when former Belper favourite Ross Hannah made the game safe with six minutes left.
It was far from a classic final, but to their credit, Matlock carried out a professional job on their UniBond First Division South local rivals who scarcely tested Gladiators goalkeeper Adam Sollitt all night. The Nailers fought hard, but quality in the final third was sadly lacking as the victors defence comfortably dealt with everything Belper had to offer.
Belper, looking to make it a cup double after their UniBond Presidents cup win against Stamford last week, also came into the game knowing their play off dreams had been shattered after a 2-1 defeat at Loughborough Dynamo at the weekend. They named ex Matlock winger Luke Federenko in their starting line up with Andy Rushbury, once on loan at Matlock from Chesterfield, on the bench.
Hannah was the noteable ex Belper favourite on view, with full back Adam Yates also facing his former employers
Matlock boss Mark Atkins named an attack minded side including fellow strikers Dene Cropper and Nathan Joynes alongside Hannah while at the back, Mark Haran had come through a late fitness check.
The manager's bold approach brought a near instant reward as Cropper was narrowly beaten to a through ball by the Nailers custodian Adam Ogden who was then picking the ball out of the net when Cropper, wearing an unaccustomed number seven shirt, found room on the right. His cross was worthy of a winger. It was inches too high for Hannah but KING had run from deep to tuck a neat finish into the corner.
Belper replied with Ryan Hindley beating both Ben Algar and Scott Brough on the right but Haran, part of the excellent Matlock rearguard, cleared the danger.
Belper had to rely on long range efforts which were way off target thanks to the efficiency of the Matlock defence. Matlock then broke purposely forward for Hannah to have the alarm bells ringing in the Belper defence on 26 minutes but his well struck twenty yarder flew high and wide.
Algar found room on the left to cross deliciously for Cropper to force Ogden to tip his header over, referee Alan Parker bizarrely awarding a goal kick.
Federenko's best attempt to hurt his old club ended disappointingly with a cross that was too hard and wide for Belper to profit, and then when Matlock had been outfoxed in midfield the ball dropped to Jon Froggatt whose poor low shot drifted wide.
Matlock at last got the ball on the floor and in a great spell could so easily have stretched their lead. Any of Algar, Steve Warne, King and Hannah might have scored, with Ogden pulling off outstanding saves from the latter two Gladiators.
Both sides made changes soon after the interval with Kris Witcombe replacing Cropper for Matlock while Belper brought on prolific scoring midfielder Lee Stevenson for centre forward Dean Oliver.
Joynes knocked down a cross for Hannah to fire inches wide before a fine Matlock move involving Algar and King ended as Ogden turned aside Hannah's strike.
Sadly Algar's final finished prematurely when he was stretchered off after a tussle just inside the Belper half, the winger limping badly with a knee injury afterwards.
A second goal would kill the game with Belper offering little despite a fair share of the possession. Ogden saved a low effort from Joynes before Danny Wood headed a cross from fellow substitute Kristian Witcombe over the bar. Hannah twice bore down on Ogden who was relieved to see his packed defence charge down two quick attempts.
But Belper were left with a mountain to climb when Matlock broke quickly to net again in the 84th minute. Warne and King were the initial ball movers before Wood's vision played in HANNAH who calmly took his time before lining up a low shot which comprehensively beat Ogden.
Hannah raced off to celebrate in front of the Matlock fans who kept up a constant barrage of vocal encouragement all night.
Now Belper knew there would be no way back, but it was quite apparent long before then.
There was a division's difference between the teams on the night, and when the final whistle shrilled, the celebrations started.
James Lukic lifted the trophy aloft in front of the Matlock fans amid joyous scenes to put the icing on the cake of a vastly improved season.
MATLOCK TOWN: Adam Sollitt, Adam Yates, Scott Brough, Liam King, Mark Haran, James Lukic, Dene Cropper (Kristian Witcombe 50), Steve warne, Nathan Joynes (Darren Cartwright 90), Ross Hannah, Ben Algar (Danny Wood 68). Other subs: Nathan Benger, Nick Buxton.
BELPER TOWN: Adam Ogden, James Colliver, Mark Barnard, Tom Naylor, Michael Harcourt, Richard Haigh, Ryan Hindley (Ollie Warren 77), Matthew Telling, Dean Oliver ( Lee Stevenson 52), Jon Froggatt, Luke Federenko (Simon Mirfin 80). Other subs: Richard Adams, Andy Rushbury.
REFEREE: Alan Parker--Derby, ATTENDANCE: 900 -est. STAR MEN: Mark Haran (Matlock Town); Tom Naylor (Belper Town)
