WITTON’S seventh successive league defeat was among their most frustrating.

They led when Anthony Gardner’s cross was nodded over the line by Neil Harvey in the opening quarter hour, and were untroubled until conceding an unnecessary penalty in the moments before half time.

Zac Corbett’s trip on Corey Gregory was punished when Danny Holland converted with power from the spot.

The Gladiators, without a manager or a victory themselves in seven previous Premier Division matches, were the better team after the break.

They rode their luck though on 58 minutes, when Danny Andrews’ attempt was fumbled onto an upright by ex-Albion custodian Jon Kennedy.

Matlock took the lead when Gregory was given time to shoot smartly past debutant goalkeeper Danny East, making safe the points when James Ashmore fired in from a free kick.

It was enough to secure only their second win of the season, leaving Witton boss Tony Sullivan with plenty to ponder ahead of back-to-back trips to promotion hopefuls Skelmersdale and Curzon Ashton in the week ahead.

Witton: East (GK), Gardner, Harrison, Corbett, Moyo, Andrews, Davidson (O’Brien 73), Powell (Dawson 84), Hancock, Harvey, Titchiner (Bakkor 63). Subs not used: Speare (GK), Barnes. Attendance: 327.

Additional reporting by Jamie Thompson