Lynn slumped to their second home defeat in four days after another poor defensive display in the first half.

While it was a much improved performance from Saturday's horror show, which saw the Linnets 4-0 down at the break on their way to a 5-1 FA Cup hammering by Cambridge City, the hosts still shipped three goals in the opening 45 minutes.

The Gladiators found the net through Lewis McMahon, Darryl Thomas and Danny Holland to put Gary Setchell's men on the backfoot. And McMahon bagged a late second to heap more misery on The Walks' faithful.

Lynn went into the match last night on the back of a three-game unbeaten league run and were looking to bounce back from the weekend's miserable mauling. But four changes to the starting 11 were not enough to return the back-to-back promoted outfit to winning ways.

Dan Quigley fired over inside a couple of minutes as the home side started pretty brightly. However, that zip soon disappeared when Ryan Fryatt's headed clearance was smashed home on the half-volley by McMahon from 25 yards in the 13th minute.

George Thomson shot wide, Phil Gulliver headed over and Andy Hall went agonisingly close to equalising with a 30-yard rasper which cannoned back off the cross-bar. Two minutes later, the thin line between success and failure was all to evident again.

Holland broke into the box and saw his shot saved by Lynn number one Danny Gay. Yet it wasn't enough as Thomas rolled the rebound into an empty net to double the visitors' advantage.

The moans and groans returned as Rob Duffy headed over with Lynn desperately seeking a way back into the game. But Matlock looked threatening and nearly went further in front when McMahon shot straight at Gay.

It didn't take long for the third to come mind as Fryatt slipped when trying to cut out a long ball and Liam Needham squared to Holland who had the simple task of passing the ball beyond the hosts' goalie.

Duffy, Steve Spriggs and Sam Mulready – who struck the woodwork – wasted chances to reduce the deficit after the restart. And as the match wore on, Lynn never looked like getting back into it. Their misery was compounded when Adam Yates' excellent centre was smashed home at the back stick by McMahon for his his side's fourth with 10 left. Cue fans heading for the exit and more boos from those in Lynn colours.

Lynn (4-3-3): Gay, R. Clarke, Gulliver, Fryatt (Yong, 64), Lee, Hall, Bunting (Spriggs, 46), Quigley, Thomson, Mulready, Duffy (E. Clarke, 72). Subs not used: Mills, Fernandes.

Matlock (4-3-2-1): Kennedy, Harcourt, Leesley, Foster, Haggerty, Radford, Needham, Ashmore (Yates, 52), Holland (Dennis, 82), McMahon, Thomas (Featherstone, 66). Subs not used: Leese. Goals: McMahon (13, 80), Thomas (25), Holland (41)

Ref: A. Da Costa. Att: 381