Tyeisse Nightingale scored an 89th minute equaliser and was then sent off for retaliation in a brawl in stoppage time.
It was an ugly end to a game which was always simmering and while Nightingale could have no complaints about his red card, it is difficult not to sympathise with him as he was kicked in the head by Richard Stirrup who got away scot free. Matlock boss Mark Atkins was also sent to the stands, a surprising decision seeing he had played no part in the melee which involved many players from both sides and the two dug outs.
Referee Barry Lamb then blew for full time when he restarted the game after administering his punishment to Nightingale and Atkins, plus showing home goalkeeper Ben Scott, who had run thirty yards to get involved, a yellow card.
Matlock just about deserved their point. A much improved second half showing followed a dire opening period when the Gladiators often struggled to string two accurate passes together.
Left footed Lee Featherstone had to play at right back with Kris Witcombe and Micky Harcourt out injured. Kris Bowler was the other full back while Gareth Davies and Liam King returned to the midfield.
In a poor start, neither goalkeeper was seriously troubled but from the first chance of the game in the 13th minute, Stirrup fired against the crossbar after a corner had only been partially cleared.
This temporarily woke Town up and a tricky run from Chris Bettney ended with Chris Glarvey slicing his shot behind for an unproductive corner.
Then Matlock conceded a really soft goal in the 24th minute to make life difficult for themselves. After Gareth Davies fouled Matt Outram, the Steels winger floated in a free kick which the completely unattended giant centre hal;f Brett Lovell met with a cushioned header back across Jon Kennedy and just inside the post.
King's twenty five yarder was straight at Scott as Matlock sought a reply, but passes kept on going astray in what was a disjointed performance from the Gladiators.
Crosses from Featherstone and Bowler narrowly eluded Nightingale and Davidson respectively, but at the other end Stirrup had struck the woodwork for a second time when his 39th minute cross shot from the right clipped the far post.
The interval arrived at an apt time for Matlock and after a half time talking to, they emerged for the second half looking like a far more business like unit.
Inside ninety seconds Davidson glanced a Steve Warn cross wide before Bettney warmed Scott;s fingers with a well struck shot from distance.Then a fine ball from Davies was only a matter of inches out of Davidson's radar.
Scott then punched away a Bettney free kick at the expense of a corner before the goalkeeper held another Bettney effort.
Steels weathered the storm and had a short period in the ascendancy when Kennedy turned away a free kick from Mark Ward who then headed over before Kennedy scooped away an attempt fromJjack Muldoon.
But Stocksbridge were forced deeper into their own territory as Matlock picked up the pace once more.Scott showed some nerves as he spilled Bowler's cross from the left before substitute Nathan Joynes could only head softly towards Scott from Bettney's centre.
King drove forward from midfield and fired inches wide from the edge of the box. Adam Yates was a tower of strength in defence and also instigated many attacking moves with a will to carry the ball out of defence. He was doing his level best not to be on the losing side.
Salvation came for Matlock from a Davies free kick just inside the Steels half. James Lukic towered above the Steels defence to nod down beautifully and NIGHTINGALE was on to it in a flash to volley home from close range.
Then came the unsavoury end and sadly this will prove to be the main talking point from the game.
On the Matlock performance, manager Atkins said he was disappointed. "We were poor in the first half and better in the second but we should really be beating sides like that."
As it was draw specialists Matlock had to settle for a point yet again. This was their tenth draw in twenty three league games played. They did not deserve to lose, but equally over the piece, a win would have flattered them.
MATLOCK TOWN: Jon Kennedy, Kris Bowler, Lee Featherstone (Lee Whittington 88), Liam King, Adam Yates, James Lukic, Chris Bettney, Steve Warne (Ian Holmes 56), Danny Davidson (Nathan Joynes 74), Tyeisse Nightingale, Gareth Davies.
Sub not used: Nick Buxton
REFEREE: B Lamb (Eccles) ATTENDANCE: 168 STAR MAN: Adam Yates.
