Mickleover turned up late, in spite of having only a relatively short journey, and after a fifteen minute delay, turned Matlock over to inflict the Gladiators first league defeat of the season.
Sports generally displayed a greater hunger to win the three points after a poor start to their first season at Premier Division level which had brought three defeats.
Whether Matlock underestimated their challenge is open to debate, but the hosts were outfought early on and in spite of having by far the better of the second half, they had left themselves too much to do after a two goal half time deficit.
Had a 4th minute Mark Haran header gone in from a Colin Marrison cross, rather than hitting the bar, it would undoubtedly have been a different story, but Sports replied positively and when John Guy was upended by a mistimed Scott Brough challenge on 9 minutes, Sports had just the boost they were looking for.
Kieran O'Connell's spot kick was parried by Adam Sollitt who certainly deserved greater assistance as MARTIN SMYTHE reacted first to force in the rebound.
Matlock had conceded their first goal of the campaign and now needed to react aggressively. But the hosts were lack lustre and sluggish as the visitors held the upper hand.
And Town's task was made doubly difficult after 28 minutes when Matlock failed to clear a low cross from the left and ALEX STEADMAN scored with a scruffy finish.
A clearly upset manager Mark Atkins immediately took both of his full backs off and brought on Nathan Joynes and Kris Witcombe. Scott Brough, who had endured a torrid time, wasted little time in leaving the ground following his substitution and Atkins said afterwards he would deal with the situation how he feels fit.
It might have been worse but for a fine Sollitt save fromm Steadman in the 38th minute, but Town still had plenty to do to salvage something from the game.
Within five minutes they were back in it as fine play from Ross hannah on the left saw him cross superbly for JOYNES to finish with a well controlled twelve yard shot.
Soon afterwards a promising Matlock move begun by Hannah and continued by Witcombe's penetrating cross saw Joynes nod wide at the back post, and in their best spell of the contest the Gladiators maintained their assault with another Witcombe ball being knocked behind and Haran having a shot charged down.
A breakaway from Sports saw Joe Carter pull a shot across the goal before a Steve warne attempt after Colin Marrison and Joynes had featured in the build up came to nothing.
Matlock's recovery bid fizzled out late on although Haran deserved credit for battling on as physio Micky Cunningham put his shoulder back in on the pitvch after a clash on the half way line.
But that kind of fighting spirit was lacking as Sports won the first ever league meeting between the sides. Haran even joined the attack late on but Matlock were lacking in ideas to seriously trouble the newly promoted side.
After two wins to start the season, Matlock's Bank Holiday form has knocked confidence among the faithful who will be hoping for a huge improvement in a testing clash with FC United of Manchester on Sunday.
MATLOCK TOWN: Adam Sollitt, Scott Brough (Kris Witcombe 30), Lee Featherstone (Nathan Joynes 30), Liam King, Mark Haran, James Lukic, James Knowles (Ben Algar 70,) Steve Warne, Colin Marrison, Ross Hannah, Kris Bowler. Other sub: Nick Buxton.
REFEREE: C Grundy--Sheffield ATTENDANCE: 434 STAR MAN: Mark Haran.
