2010 is so far proving to be a lean year for Matlock who slipped to a second successive defeat at Church Road.
But again, they deserved considerably more for their efforts as they dominated for long periods but could not find a way past Ferriby skipper Steve Wilson, who through a combination of fine goalkeeping and huge slices of luck, did as much to secure an undeserved victory.
It was frustration all the way for Matlock which reached boiling point with three minutes left when captain James Lukic was sent off for the first time in his career for a second yellow card as he clapped towards the referee, who had angered all of the visiting contingent througfhout the match.
Both Ferriby goals were direct free kicks, the first one summing up Matlock's bad luck when Sam Denton's shot was deflected past a wrong footed Nick Buxton in the 48th minute and then Russell Fry beat Buxton without the aid of a deflection six minutes from time.
Apart from collecting the ball from the back of the net twice, Buxton scarcely had a save to make as Mark Haran and Lukic successfully kept the prolific Gary Bradshaw quiet.
In contrast, Wilson's goal had a charmed life.
Ferriby had the first meaningful attack as Haran headed a cross from full back Ben Turner behind for a corner in the 4th minute, but five minutes later, Haran was up at the other end causing problems as he back headed a free kick from Adam Yates narrowly wide.
Matlock might have been in front on 19 minutes when they forced a succession of corners, one of which was fumbled by Wilson under pressure from Nathan Joynes who had passed a late fitness test. The ball broke for Hannah whose shot was blocked by Turner at the expense of a further corner. This was met by a Lukic header which Chris Bolder knocked off the line for yet another flag kick which Wilson somehow managed to clutch, again under intense pressure.
Steve Warne broke forcefully from midfield evading three tackles to feed Hannah who was denied superbly this time by Wilson.
Bradshaw shot high and handsomely over the bar from thirty yards and after Warne was robbed in midfield, the ball broke for Bradshaw who was thwarted by a magnificent covering tackle by Yates. Alex Davidson drove harmlessly too high after a move on the left, before a lick of paint denied the Gladiators a deserved lead in the 44th minute. Liam Chapman was booked for fouling Liam King and Joynes rose to head the free kick against the bar with Wilson beaten.
As three floodlight pylons temporarily failed with half time approaching, Denton produced a marvellous tackle to prevent Joynes from scoring. Matlock could be well [pleased with their first half performance, but disapponted to not be in front.
The sting in the tail came when Denton's fortunate goal gave Ferriby their lead. Hannah was then booked for a foul on Chapman after Yates broke forward but hot straight at Wilson's chest. Lee Featherstone, employed in a wide left midfield role, was off balance as he shot wide when found by Joynes.
Buxton's one save was a relatively comfortable one from Alex Davidson before Dene Cropper came on for Featherstone as Matlock had three out and out strikers on the field.
Shouts for a penalty when a Warne shot was handled by Chapman on its way through to Wilson were turned down and Ferriby broke quickly for Bradshaw to curl an effort wide from twenty yards.
Matlock were still enjoying the bulk of the play but luck was deserting them as several penetrating balls into the home danger area bounced conveniently for the hosts. wilson needed three juggles at a Hannah cross before gaining possession.
Lukic was booked following a tussle with Bradshaw and then came Ferriby's second goal which rubbed salt into Matlock's wounds. Haran was booked for comments to referee Guest before Lukic left for first use of the showers.
Matlock's afternoon was summed up when Haran's header was nodded off the line with Wilson beaten in stoppage time.
MATLOCK TOWN: Nick Buxton, Adam Yates,Scott Brough,Liam King, Mark Haran, James Lukic, Darren Cartwright, Steve Warne, Nathan Joynes (Nathan Benger 79), Ross Hannah,Lee Featherstone (Dene Cropper 61) Other subs:Danny Wood, Ben Algar, Danny Gregory.
REFEREE: N W Guest--Grimsby ATTENDANCE: 225 STAR MAN: Adam Yates
