A win on the afternoon was not enough for Shaw Lane as other results went against them.
The opening forty-five saw no goals, but it was the visitors who were asking all the questions.
Ricky German was gifted an opportunity on 13 minutes by Ducks keeper Ed Wilczynski from a sliced goal kick.
The striker put the ball past the keeper from the edge of the area only to be denied by Kelvin Lugsden who raced back to the goal line. Wilczynski saved against from German on 21 minutes. The young keeper was in action again on 31 minutes when Kieran Wallace fired in from distance. Wallace saw his shot scrambled behind for another corner.
The Ducks first chance came early in the second half when Alex Byrne tried a curling effort from the edge of the area. It forced Richard Walton to make sure the ball was going past the post.
Wilczynski once again denied the Gladiators on the hour mark when a quick throw to Wallace was squared to Harry Limb whose shot was blocked spectacularly.
The breakthrough came on 64 minutes when a defensive mistake allowed Wallace in to give the visitors the lead.
With the Ducks unknowing of the other scores they pushed forward and have Spencer Harris to thank for the comeback.
The captain’s two goals were both headers. The equaliser on 86 minutes came following a Kieran Lugsden cross from the left.
The winner from a trademark Alex Byrne corner after seven minutes of added time to seal victory.

Shaw Lane 2, Matlock Town 1.

Shaw Lane Line-up: Ed Wilczynski, Jake Picton, Ben Gordon, Kelvin Lugsden, Jake Skelton (Paul Clayton 67), Alex Byrne, David Norris, Spencer Harris, Kieran Lugsden, Godwin Abadaki (Gavin Rothery 60), Damian Reeves (Chib Chilaka 60). Subs Not Used: Serrant, Davies.