When Ben Algar cancelled out Dave Whittaker's early goal for the visitors two minutes into the second half, Matlock had high hopes of a storming second half akin to the home win against King's Lynn in their last evening game at home.
But those hopes were cruelly dashed by a hugely deflected Michael Lennon strike and then a screamer from Dave McPherson by only the 52nd minute as last season's beaten play off finalists finished as comfortable winners.
The loss of central defender Mark Haran with a leg injury, the assistant manager having failed a fitness check beforehand after coming off in Saturday's demolition of Durham, was undoubtedly a huge blow for Matlock, and given the size of some of Nantwich's players, he was badly missed when defending set pieces. Ryan Laight replaced him in the one change to the starting eleven who had brought the point’s home from the North East.
The opening opportunity came Matlock's way in the 4th minute when a well struck twenty yard daisy cutter from Liam King looked to be just creeping inside a post until visiting goalkeeper Lee Jones was down quickly to tip away for a corner.
But the deadlock was broken from a corner at the other end. Jake Sedgemore's long throw was headed out by Laight and when the crisp delivery of the flag kick to the near post came in, nobody tracked DAVE WHITTAKER's run and his firm glancing header fairly flashed past Adam Sollitt who didn't stand a chance of saving it.
Matlock were under the cosh and only a brilliant double save by Sollitt, from Matt Rhead and then Lennon, kept the Gladiators in the game.
The hosts recovered and on 23 minutes, King's shot was handled by Darren Tinson following a faulty Nantwich clearance, the free kick being played square to Gareth Davies whose shot swerved wide. King was at the heart of another good move four minutes later which ended with Ross Hannah stabbing wide from the midfielder's low cross.
Sollitt, again though had to prove his worth with a fine save from Rodney Jack after Laight had managed to block a well struck Ashley Carter drive, the half ending with the Dabbers having gained a narrow advantage and Matlock having to replace home debutant Lee Stratford with Lee Featherstone, the full back having suffered a twisted knee. A floodlight by the new development work failed during the interval but referee Bell ruled that there was sufficient light to continue.
ALGAR soon had Matlock on level terms though as he had come inside to link with Dene Cropper before firing a low shot under Jones from the edge of the box. But any hopes that the Gladiators might have had of building on the equaliser were soon quashed.
Just three minutes later Nantwich attacked down the left through Carter who whipped in a cross come shot that LENNON's header deflected massively past Sollitt who appeared to have the initial effort well covered.
If that goal had a huge element of luck about it, Nantwich's third was sheer quality. MACPHERSON struck a searing rising shot from fully thirty yards that no goalkeeper on this earth would have kept out. The Dabbers were now in the comfort zone although King refused to throw in the towel as he cleverly worked himself a shooting chance on the edge of the box, only to fire too high.
Jack tried to emulate MacPherson as he too, tried his luck from a similar distance, his effort flashing narrowly past Sollitt's right hand post.
The faulty floodlight was now working again as manager Atkins sent on Jackson for Warne before being moved from the dug out by Mr Bell for dissent, but Jackson lasted just twelve minutes as he pulled a muscle and had to be replaced by Adam Yates.
Hannah blasted into the side netting before the hard working King again shot over the bar after fine approach play by Cropper and Algar.
Matlock worked hard but lacked the ingenuity to seriously hurt Nantwich who on the night were too strong for the Gladiators and will be there or thereabouts again at the season's end.
The best for the Gladiators in a game where some were below par were Sollitt for some excellent goalkeeping, King for his industry in midfield and Algar who was bright going forward.
MATLOCK TOWN: Sollitt, Brough, Stratford (Featherstone 39), King, Laight, Lukic, Warne (Jackson 60, Yates 72), Davies, Cropper, Hannah, Algar. Other subs: Thorpe, Buxton.
REFEREE: M Bell-Rotherham ATTENDANCE: 399 STAR MAN: Liam King.
