Matlock Town are now firmly hammering on the door of the UniBond League Premier Division play off places following their third successive league victory at North Ferriby United last weekend.

It shows how fortunes and league posuitions can so quickly change, for having slipped to twelfth spot following a disappointing run of five league games without a win plus FA Cup and FA Trophy exits, the Gladiators have leapt speedily up to sixth.

More good news came for them on Tuesday night. While they had their feet up after their scheduled UniBond League Challenge Cup clash with Gresley Rovers at the Geoquip Stadium fell victim to a waterlogged pitch, two of their play off rivals were dropping crucial points.

Burscough surprisingly lost 1-0 at lowly Radcliffe Borough while Fleetwood Town were held to a 1-1 home draw by Ashton United.

Joint boss Phil Brown revealed that he and Gareth Williams travelled back down the motorway from Humberside on Saturday very happy men.

"That was definitely our best league performance and also the most professional performance we've given in the league all season. We performed well but in a different way when we knocked Histon out of the FA Cup on their patch. It was an important result for us with Ferriby being just below us and its opened up a little gap with the top eight starting to pull away a little. It would be nice to win the league but if we can't do that, we've got to battle for a place in the top five and the less clubs thats involved in that the better from our point of view. We're eyeing at least a play off spot and we feel we have a squad good enough to achieve that."

Matlock moved recent acquisition Glenn Kirkwood back into central defence to partner skipper James Lukic at Grange Lane. Ryan Davis slotted in at right back with Liam Howley having to be content with a place on the bench. This allowed for the return of Steve circuit in midfield.

"It was the best we have defended as a team since the start of the season, especially as North Ferriby had been scoring quite a few goals recently. But they had very few chances and we were pleased that we kept Gary Bradshaw quiet, apart from the one shot which hit the post and that came from a quick break following our corner. Other than that he didn't have a sniff. I think that's just one goal conceded in four games now.Glenn again showed his experience, talking and organising well. It was important to get Circs back in the side for he's done very well for us. He's available throughout December which again is a big boost."

The unwanted penalty jinx also came to an end at the sixth time of asking as Kris Bowler convincingly converted an 18th minute spot kick to give the Gladiators a 2-0 lead after a foul on Ian Holmes.

"Kris looked confident as he stepped up to take it and it was powerfully hit and beautifully placed. That was a relief as these kinds of things can become a millstone, but I think we've found our penalty taker now and Kris will have the job for the forseeable future" Brown continued.

So having completed their first league double at North Ferriby, the opportunity is there for the Gladiators to secure their second one when third bottom Mossley visit the Geoquip Stadium on Saturday.

An emphatic 3-0 win came the Gladiators way at Seel Park in September, but since then the Lilywhites have signed some experienced players including strikers Peter Wright from Chorley and Chris Ward, once of Birmingham City and Dundee from Kendal town, as well as the vastly experienced former Wrexham and Oldham Athletic winger David Eyres.

Matlock will do well to remember that Mossley gained excellent away draws at the top two of AFC Telford and Hednesford Town and Brown acknowledges that Matlock will have to work hard to secure a fifth straight victory in all competitions.

"David Eyres has a very good left foot and a lot of experience and they've made a number of significant signings since we last played them.They may have only won something like four out of nineteen games but they've had a couple of decent results of late and are battling for points.We know from past experience that there are no easy games in this league. They'll make it difficult for us but if we can play as well as last week, and with a vocal home crowd behind us, we'll hopefully get another good result. It was a blow that the Gresley match in the League Cup was off in midweek for we're on a good run and are playing well and we want to keep that run going."

Brown has virtually a fully fit squad from which to choose from for the Mossley visit, with the possible inclusion of striker Steve Taylor who has been out with back trouble for the last couple of months.

"Steve trained last week and will do so again on Thursday. Its a matter of him then getting his confidence back and we'll hopefully have him back fully fit in the not too distant future."

That could leave Matlock with some great striking options. Brown and Williams are still working hard to get Sheffield University striker Tom Cahill on board on a permanent basis to join fellow student Ian Holmes. The pair linked impressively at North Ferriby, South Normanton and Kendal, and there is also Simon Barraclough chomping at the bit to regain his place in the starting line up. Barraclough was named as a substitute last weekend after being absent for two matches through work commitments.

Meanwhile Matlock have been handed another away tie in the quarter finals of the Cawarden Derbyshire Senior Cup at old rivals and clear UniBond first Divusion leaders Buxton.

"That's a difficult one for they're flying at the moment and its probably the hardest tie we could have got aoart from possibly a match at Alfreton or Ilkeston.If we can get through that one we'd be hoping to avoid either Alfreton or Ilkeston, but really we can't look beyond the Buxton game at this stage. Its a matter of taking one game at a time."

The League Cup tie will now be staged at the Geoquip Stadium on Tuesday meaning the postponement of the Gladiators league visit to Grantham Town.