The Evo-Stik League Northern Premier

Matlock boss Mark Atkins and his assistant Nick Buxton pulled no punches after watching the Gladiators being dumped out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle in Tuesday night's replay at Belper, writes Ian Richardson.

Saturday's first attempt to settle the tie ended in a 2-2 draw at the Reynolds Stadium, and after a scoreless first half at Christ Church Meadow, Matlock collapsed as Belper scored three unanswered goals in the second period to win 3-0.

Buxton labelled the Gladiators performance a 'disgrace' and said: "There's only one way to describe that and it's a disgrace. You can't defend the players after a performance like that. Players are told to go out and do certain things and they're just not doing what we've asked them to do. It's no use going out there and doing your own thing. Fans have a right to be angry just like me and the gaffer are."

Atkins himself has promised 'changes' after the defeat. "This group of players have had long enough and it's clear they're not up to scratch," Atkins rapped. "They've let me, Bucko [Buxton] and the club plus the fans down, so we'll bring people in that want to play for this club.

"It's time for those that remain to show that they really want to stay here, that goes for everyone for even some of the more senior players let us down on Tuesday night."

The first departure looks like being striker Lee Ellington who has been put on the transfer list. Ellington had been a prolific scorer during his career in the Conference North with the likes of Gainsborough Trinity and Stalybridge Celtic before netting twelve goals for Guiseley last term.

He was billed as Matlock's major summer signing, but has failed to find the net in eight competitive outings for Matlock and the club's assistant manager admitted: "Lee's been a prolific scorer in his time but he's a different player to the one we knew."

Atkins now hopes reinforcements can be brought in ahead of Saturday's home meeting with Blyth Spartans and Tuesday night's visit to Grantham Town.

He explained: "We need results, let's face it we've not played well this season and to lose to a team below, in a local derby and in the FA Cup isn't good enough. We've all got to take responsibility, the players and myself have to react positively, so I need to bring people in who want to play for this club.

"Players here need to stand up and be counted, they might now only have the one chance. I've got seven days notice in for a defender and a striker. I'm awaiting a decision from a midfielder I've offered terms to, but a loan deal for another midfielder fell through at the last minute. There's also another loan deal that might go through, I'm just waiting for a yes or no from his current club."

Injuries have been a much publicised blight on Matlock' start to the campaign which has brought just two wins in their opening six league games, both against Frickley Athletic.

Joe Leesley was stretchered off with a back injury in the 25th minute of last Saturday's game and although he had partially recovered for Tuesday, he had to be content with a place on the substitutes bench.

Ryan Laight and Nathan Joynes collected injuries at the weekend which forced them out of the replay, and in the replay itself, Laight's replacement Kris Witcombe was helped off with hamstring trouble in the second half.

Buxton added: "The injuries have made an impact but you can only blame them for so long. Yes, there's been a lot of them and some are long to mid term but those people coming in should be chomping at the bit to play and show us what they're made of. It was an FA Cup tie for goodness sake. I've played in rounds two and three, Mark's been in a semi final, but there was no passion about them, no zip and that's not good enough."

There is a possibility that Micky Harcourt and Bradley Grayson could be back in contention for a return over the next two games after foot and hamstring in juries respectively.