A GOAL seven minutes into the second half by the visitors' Nathan Hotte saw Bradford nick all three points and send Matlock to their first defeat since the opening day of the season.
But it was a game the Gladiators should have taken at least a point from after they dominated the first 45 minutes and even after going behind, they still had enough opportunities to have fought back.
John Lamb was a one-man wall for Avenue before the break with a whole host of fine saves to repel Matlock's best efforts.
He produced a tremendous stop to keep out Ian Holmes's effort in only the third minute, and after he pushed away a James Knowles cross that swirled in the wind Lamb then denied winger Chris Bettney, who had smashed in a powerful volley.
Liam King also saw a shot well saved and Holmes blazed one wastefully wide when well-placed before half-time, which came at just the right moment for the visitors.
Bradford came out for the second period strongly and should have gone in front through Aiden Savory, who missed two good opportunities, before Hotte finished off a good move to open the scoring.
King came close again with another header, and Kris Bowler drove a low shot just wide from long range, before Lamb came to the rescue again with a tremendous stop to keep out Bettney's shot.
Gaps were appearing with Matlock pushing on and Jon Kennedy had to be sharp to deny Richard Marshall before the Gladiators again went on the front foot for the closing stages.
Ben Algar and skipper James Lukic both went close but despite plenty of pressure, an equaliser wouldn't come.
MATLOCK TOWN: Kennedy, Harcourt, Algar, King, Yates, Lukic, Bettney, Davies, Holmes, Bowler (Featherstone 78), Knowles (Whittington 65).
SUBS: Warne, Buxton.
BRADFORD PARK AVENUE: Lamb, Noteman, Drury, O'Brian, Riley, Clayton, Daly (Greaves 90), Hotte, Marshall, Savory (Deacey 88), Boshell (Duckworth 65).
SUBS: Law, Hume.
REFEREE: S Barrow. ATTENDANCE: 398. STAR MAN: Liam King.
