Matlock made hard work of their victory after looking as if they would clock up a cricket score in the opening exchanges.
An own goal from Michael Simpson in only the 2nd minute was added to when Tyeisse Nightingale doubled the lead in the 20th minute. But almost immediately Karl Ashton halved the deficit and Mickleover, in spite of having midfielder Danny Martin sent off three minutes into the second half, enjoyed more of the possession.
But on chances created, the Gladiators deserved the three points. After a nervous start, the Sports goalkeeper Ali Barcherini prevented a bigger home win, and Mickleover lacked the quality and penetration to seriously extend Town's Jon Kennedy.
Chris Bettney was back in the home line up in place of Lee Whittington while Ben Algar replaced Lee Featherstone at left back.
Mickleover, looking to avoid a third successive defeat, were a bag of nerves at the back early on. Barcherini had to advance swiftly to thwart Ian Holmes inside the opening twenty seconds, the goalkeeper not covering himself in glory early on.
He was beaten though when a typically accurate Bettney cross was diverted past Barcherini by former Eastwood and Mansfield playmaker SIMPSON.
Kieran O'Connell, a target for Matlock during the summer, forced Kennedy to palm away a 6th minute shot which James Lukic knocked away from the danger zone, but this was a rare Mickleover threat.
Nightingale ought to have increased Matlock's lead on 10 minutes. Superbly found by Kris Bowler after a probing run from the midfielder, he saw his shot smothered by Barchareni who was now finding his feet.
To prove that Mickleover were at sixes and sevens in defence, a teasing free kick from Bettney nearly forced another own goal as this time Mark Strzyzewski headed inches past an upright.
But a second Gladiators goal arrived thanks to excellent approach play between Ian Holmes and NIGHTINGALE who netted with a precision angled finish into the far corner from out on the left.
It looked to be plain sailing for Matlock but stormy waters erupted within a minute as ASHTON deceived Adam Yates before hammering a fierrce effort beyond Kennedy before James Lukic could make an effective challenge.
Yates blocked a Martin shot before Martin received his first booking for an unnecessary trip on Nightingale shortly afterwards. Bettney's free kick was headed behind for a corner which Yates met with a header which dropped wide.
Barcherini then held a Liam King strike which needed more power before on 39 minutes the custodian produced a wonderful point blank save to beat away a searing Bettney drive following Bowler's pin point cross. in between these two efforts, Kennedy comfortably turned away a twenty yard effort from Martin.
Martin then did absolutely nothing to aid his team's cause with a lunge at Micky Harcourt that earned him a routine caution and a sending off. A crazy challenge especially as it was close to the Gladiators' corner flag. Ashton soon followed him into the referee's notebook for a reckless tackle on Adam Yates. Mickleover needed to show some composure and discipline if they were to mount a recovery.
A setback for Matlock came when Nightingale limped off with a medial ligament injury which might mean a sustained spell on the sidelines.On came Whittington who again looked lively.
Yet another magnificent Bettney corner dropped invitingly in the six yard box and it was crying out to be smashed home. Matlock looked the more likely scorers as Holmes released Whittington who chipped narrowly wide. Holmes did not score, but his workrate and approach play simply had to be applauded.
Strzyzewski joined the yellow card recipients for a late challenge on King. None of the bookings could be contested. Then Holmes cut in from the left and Barcherini saved Sports again with a fine diving stop before Whittington blasted narrowly too high after more good work by Bowler.
Late on Whittington and Barcherini both needed treatment after a 50-50 clash which saw Barcherini foil Matlock again and how James Knowles missed a sitter in injury time from Holmes' low centre, only he will know!
Matlock ground out the victory. It wasn't spectacular but at the end of the day it was three vital points and it is all that matters.But they could have made life far easier for themselves.
MATLOCK TOWN: Jon Kennedy, Micky Harcourt, Ben Algar, Liam King, Adam Yates, James Lukic, Chris Bettney ( James Knowles 75), Tyeisse Nightingale (Lee Whittington 49), Ian Holmes, Gareth Davies, Kris Bowler (Steve Warne 65) Other subs: Kris Witcombe, Nick Buxton
REFEREE: S A Richardson--Huthwaite ATTENDANCE: 368 STAR MAN: Ian Holmes
