Danny Davidson struck on the stroke of half time to earn the Gladiators a crucial three point haul in their bid to avoid relegation.

In a game generally devoid of any quality, Matlock dug in showing a tremendous work ethic to close Witton down quickly to such great effect that goalkeeper Paul Pettinger didn't have a serious shot to save all afternoon.

Matlock seldom looked like surrendering their lead and in a game of few clear cut scoring opportunities, it was the hosts who looked more likely to net again.

Manager Mark Atkins was forced into one change from the team which brought a useful point back from second placed Nantwich seven days earlier.

Liam King was out with tendonitis, so Danny Wood took his place in midfield as Matlock again opted for a 4-3-3 formation.

In lovely Spring sunshine but with a biting wind, Matlock totally wasted an early corner before Dene Cropper looked to be impeded by Paul Booth but referee Anthony Tankard, who infuriated the home crowd with a series of puzzling decisions, was unmoved.

Cropper was unfortunate not to score on 8 minutes as his glancing downward header rebounded off the post with goalkeeper Jamie Speare beaten.

Witton were seeing plenty of the ball at this stage and Kieran Lugsden weaved his way in from the right to get the better of Ashley Foyle but his final shot was high and wide of the far upright.

But the visitors were thankful for a dozy referee on 19 minutes when Davidson skipped past Speare who hauled him back.

A penalty looked obvious and Speare should have been heading for an early shower, but Mr Tankard gave nothing.

It could have been a calamitious error from the man in black.

The game was a war of attrition in midfield and with the stakes so high, no-one wanted to make that potentially damaging mistake, so it was perhaps ironic that the error for the match winning goal came from Albion skipper Brian Pritchard, who has been a sharp thorn in Matlock's side over recent seasons.

As the clock ticked over into the 45th minute, Ross Hannah burst speedily down the left to cross high towards Cropper who saw his header blocked by Pritchard.

But the big Albion number four could not adjust his feet quickly enough to hack the ball clear and the long outstretched leg of DAVIDSON extended to stab the ball home.

And there could have been more joy for Davidson and Matlock before the half time whistle shrilled.

The on-loan striker was in the clear on the right but instead of shooting, he crossed towards Cropper whose effort was blocked before the ball ricocheted to Davidson and wide.

Having got their noses deservedly in front, Matlock worked even harder in the second half to preserve that advantage and if anything, it was Witton who were feeling the pressure more.

A faulty goal kick from Speare was returned first time at pace by Wood from fifty yards.

A couple of yards to the left and Speare might well have been red faced.

Then a longer kick from Matlock's Pettinger was flicked on by Cropper to the onrushing Davidson and it took a timely interception from Booth to avert the danger.

Hannah miskicked when Davidson crossed from the right, but typical of the spirit that the Gladiators were showing was Hannah then sprinting back to nick the ball off Brad Haylett who was lining up a right wing centre.

Jamie Jackson replaced Wood and almost immediately was showing full back Danny Warner a clean pair of heels down the right flank.

Then followed a tremendous scramble deep inside the Witton penalty box which saw Steve Warne fire wide.

Within another two minutes, Pettinger's huge clearance saw both Davidson and Cropper in hot pursuit and Booth had to take desperate measures in conceding a corner as he headed the ball behind.

Matty Thorpe was like a terrier in midfield, acting as chief spoiler with an abundance of energy as Witton simply could not find any rhythm whatsoever.

Jackson was a great outlet and after wasting a fine crossing chance, he drove wide after being set up by Davidson.

Witton made a late bid to try and steal a point, but Matlock were generally in the comfort zone and when the ball had to be punted long and hard, it was as they opted for safety first tactics.

The victory came as a welcome boost to the Gladiators survival hopes and also put Witton more in the mix again.

Mark Atkins has stressed the importance of putting a run of results together and an opportunity to get their first back to back wins of the campaign presents itself again next weekend at Cammell Laird.

It is too good an opportunity to turn down surely?

Matlock Town: Pettinger, Yates, Feathestone, Wood (Jackson 66), Laight, Foyle, Davidson, Warne, Cropper (Riley 78), Hannah, Thorpe. Other subs: Benger, Buxton.
Referee: A Tankard (Sheffield)
Attendance:330
Star Man: Matty Thorpe