Manager Peter Duffield gave Evan Garnett his first competitive start of the season after making a good impact just two days earlier against FC United of Manchester.

But Kieran Wells will have been disappointed to miss out after an equally good showing in the same match.

It was the first time these two sides had met in a league fixture since the 2002-03 season.

Matlock earned an early penalty in the 16th minute when a cross from the right by Jason Stokes hit the arm of Chris Jones inside the penalty box.

Danny Holland stepped up to strike the ball, aiming for the keeper's left but James Martin made a terrific save, launching himself to the ball and holding on well to deny the opening goal.

The Nailers took the lead after 27 minutes when an Ian Ross corner was floated towards the far post and Regan Edridge rose well to glance the ball inside the post.

The rhythm then began to flow and the Nailers got their second goal just a minute later.

Aaron Cole latched onto the ball up in the middle of the park and his pass picked out Evan Garnett who jinked inside and out and squared the ball across the box to the unmarked Rob Stevenson.

Stevenson’s initial shot was saved by keeper Jon Kennedy but the rebound fell kindly for the Nailers winger who slotted the ball into the empty net.

Matlock replied just three minutes later with Danny Holland atoning for his earlier penalty miss to half the deficit for the Gladiators.

Jason Stokes beat Aaron Pride down the left hand side and curled a delicious ball in for Holland, whose header from point blank range found its way over Martin and silence the home crowd.

Evan Garnett continued to torment Matlock's defence, with two good efforts coming late in the first half.

The first was a neat flick towards goal from an Aaron Cole cross which landed just over the bar with the goalkeeper beaten, and the second a curling left footed shot which was parried over the bar by Kennedy.

The second half began perfectly for the Nailers, with a goal after 48 minutes for Evan Garnett to restore their two-goal advantage.

It was Garnett himself who began the move with a neat flick on to Jon Froggatt, who in turn played in Rob Stevenson on the left hand side.

Stevenson then drove towards goal, firing his shot on target, only for the keeper to parry the ball into the path of Garnett to steer the ball home for his second goal in as many games.

But just when the scoreline was looking a fair reflection on the game, the Nailers began to sit back and invite pressure onto their defence and the comeback began for Matlock Town in the 86th minute.

Former Nailer, Micky Harcourt swung in a corner from the right hand side and Danny Holland was on hand again to steer in a free header and put the home side’s nerves on edge throughout.

Matlock sensed that there might be some reward in the game and in the 92nd minute, a long punt up from the goalkeeper was misjudged by the Nailers back line allowing the ball to bounce.

Lavell White reacted first to chest the ball into the path of Jason Stokes who gleefully notched the all-important goal to claim his side a vital point.

Belper Town: James Martin, Aaron Pride, Billy Bennett, Ian Ross, Regan Edridge, Chris Jones, Aaron Cole (Simon Harrison 59), Steve Warne, Jon Froggatt (Mark Ward 80), Evan Garnett (Colin Marrison 75), Rob Stevenson. Subs: Kieran Wells, Scot Low.

Matlock Town: Jon Kennedy, Micky Harcourt, Joe Leesley, Corey Gregory, David Haggerty, Adam Yates, Jason Stokes, Josh Meade, Danny Holland, Leon Osborne (Lavell White 54), Liam Needham. Subs: Oscar Radford, Nial Dawkins, Jordan Snodin, Matty Leese.

Referee: Steven Meredith (Mansfield)

Attendance: 475