It took 74 minutes for the gallant Gladiators to succumb to Kidderminster's full timers in the battle of the 1975 and the 1987 FA Trophy winners at Causeway Lane last Saturday.
But Matlock finally went out with the two goal margin of defeat slightly flattering the Conference National visitors who came to town and did a professional job on their hosts.
Kidderminster boss Mark Yates had pledged beforehand that there would be no excuses if his troops did not perform, and they set out from the off in a positive fashion pushing the Gladiators back. To their credit, Matlock's defending was first class with the entire back four on top of their game. For all of their possession, Kidderminster failed to create anything clear cut although Arron Jameson was forced to hold a low effort from Brian Smikle in the 6th minute.
After having to defend solidly in those opening skirmishes, Matlock gradually settled and Mark Haran, surprisingly named as an attacker alongside Ross Hannah, was winning his battles in the air.
Liam King was brought down some twenty two yards out in the 10th minute but Hannah's free kick was comfortably charged down.
Midfielder Dean Bennett shot wide from twenty yards in the 17th minute as neither goalkeeper was being seriously tested.
The closest either side came to breaking the deadlock in the opening half was when a close range effort from a tight angle by Gavin Caynes rebounded off the foot of Jameson's right hand post in 39 minutes.
Matlock responded as Steve Warne burst forward to be felled just outside the penalty box but Hannah's free kick sailed high and harmlessly wide.
The Gladiators could be satisfied with their efforts so far, but had probably and somewhat understandably afforded Kidderminster a tad too much respect.
Kidderminster might have gone in front seven minutes into the second half when Jameson struggled to gather from a corner but skipper Chris McPhee's shot cleared the bar. Then Matlock stayed firm after a scramble in their goalmouth where the ball could have ended up literally anywhere.
Harriers had probably their best chance yet shortly afterwards when the lively Aaron Farrell broke down the left to feed Robbie Matthews who was in on goal but Matthews' control let him down and all he could do was scoop his shot over both Jameson and the bar.
That miss might have been costly as Matlock might have made the breakthrough when outstanding build up play from Warne and Haran released Hannah, but equally impressive defensive work from the visitors saw Hannah's strike deflected over the bar by Caynes.
Kidderminster finally went ahead when the impressive Farrell saw his goalbound shot blocked but MATTHEWS was following in to drill a beautifully struck low hard shot just inside Jameson's left hand upright from twenty yards.
Nathan Benger replaced Algar almost immediately and Matlock could have been level on 82 minutes when Hannah slipped a neat pass inside to the onrushing King whose shot was straight at goalkeeper Jasbir Singh. Then Hannah's cross shot fizzled past the far post before a golden opportunity to force a replay went begging as Benger cut in from the left, but opted to shoot instead of squaring the ball to the unattended Haran. The groans from the crowd summed up the moment perfectly as Benger's strike flew wildly beyond the back post.
Kidderminster booked their place in the last thirty two in stoppage time when Jameson brought down Farrell and McPHEE sent the on loan custodian the wrong way from the spot.
Manager Mark Atkins said his side had given their all. "I really can't fault them for they gave everything and at 1-0 down we probably had our best chances. Kidderminster probably deserved the victory but 2-0 was flattering."
Matlock left the competition with their heads held high, with prize money exceeding £9000. On the day, Kidderminster's extra know-how and full time status wewe the decisive factors.
MATLOCK TOWN: Arron Jameson, Adam Yates, Lee Featherstone, Liam King, Simon Sturdy, James Lukic, Gareth Davies, Steve Warne, Mark Haran, Ross Hannah, Ben Algar (Nathan Benger 75). Other subs: Scott Brough, Darren Cartwright, Danny Wood, Nick Buxton.
REFEREE: Matt Bristow--Manchester. ATTENDANCE: 460 STAR MAN: Lee Featherstone.
