Matlock Town were beaten 2-0 at Bradford (Park Avenue) on Tuesday night to suffer a big blow in their challenge for the NPL Division One East title.

Having won five games in a row to begin 2026 in style, including a last-gasp 2-1 win at Hallam on Saturday, the Gladiators then struggled to click at Bradford who took the points thanks to two first-half Ben Andreucci goals.

The former Buxton loanee pounced from close range after Matlock had failed to clear a corner 19 minutes in, then took advantage of a mistake from Harlain Mbayo whose header back to goalkeeper Dylan Wharton fell well short and Andreucci stole in to score his second.

Matlock only threatened on two or three occasions, Alfie Atherton having a shot cleared off the line and Conor Washington hitting the post, but overall failed to exert any authority.

Adam Clayton was disappointed in the manner of Tuesday's defeat.

placeholder image — Adam Clayton was disappointed in the manner of Tuesday's defeat.

Boss Adam Clayton said: “It was a tough night for us – we never really got going. We had a couple of chances in the first-half but I think probably for the second time this season we deserved to lose that game.

"Fair play to Bradford, we’ve not just got to pick ourselves up and go again as every time we’ve been beaten we’ve come back and done really well and given a good reaction.

"We’ll go back and have a look back at the game and go from there. We’re doing very well in the league and it’s disappointing to come here and lose in the manner that we did.”

Matlock now prepare for more games against sides in the top eight with the visit of North Ferriby on Saturday, a trip to leaders Redcar Athletic on February 14 and then a home game with Emley a week later.

*On Saturday, Matlock had to rely on a 96th minute winner to see off hosts Hallam in difficult conditions.

The Gladiators led on 14 minutes when Declan Erratt-Thompson’s cross took a heavy deflection off defender Danny Burns and looped into the far corner of the net.

Matlock keeper Dylan Wharton then produced several stunning saves to keep his side ahead, either side of Hallam being reduced to ten men when Ollie Russon’s tackle was deemed worthy of a straight red on 55 minutes.

Hallam battled on and won a penalty in stoppage time which was dispatched by Calum Ward.

But there was still time for Matlock to win a corner and from a scramble in the area, Ben Sault knocked the ball in from a couple of yards out to seal three points.

Clayton said: “It was a very ‘non-league’ game of football in tough conditions, but conditions we knew we were coming to, so it was no surprise and it's the same for both teams.

"We had a plan to go uphill in the first-half, manage the game and try and nick that half because it’s tough to get out, and we managed to do that.

"Then in the second-half the pitch became very loose and it became a fight, then we conceded the goal but managed to find something in us that will only help us going forward in terms of belief and togetherness because the dressing room was bouncing afterwards.”