Manager, Peter Duffield made five changes to his side that lost to Cleethorpes Town only four days earlier, with James Lindley, Andy Rushbury, Dan White, Jon Froggatt and Ashley Longstaff all starting.

It was a fast start to the game for the Nailers, with two corners and a snap shot from outside the box by Simon Harrison, which was comfortably saved by Aaron Chapman.

Chesterfield dominated most of the early possession in the middle of the park as the game was finding its rhythm on a hot Wednesday evening.

It took just 14 minutes for the first goal to be scored by the Nailers.

A long floating free kick to the far post was met by Michael Smyth who towered above the defender and headed it into the far corner, beyond the reach of Chapman, despite his best efforts. The goal coming after a series of free kicks for the Nailers in potentially dangerous areas and Michael Smyth made no mistake in capitalising.

Chesterfield then picked up the tempo of the game with Sam Finlow orchestrating the flow of possession as Chesterfield passed and moved the ball in encouraging fashion.

In the 28th minute, Fabian Johnson saw a crashing effort from the edge of the box sail a yard over the bar, after a fine move down the left flank.

Moments after Belper’s first scare, Simon Harrison played the ball over the top to Ashley Longstaff, who held his run well to stay onside. Aaron Chapman came rushing out and did just enough to put Ashley Longstaff off as his looping touch was a shade too heavy, resulting in nothing more than a Chesterfield goal kick.

Chesterfield continued to threaten the equaliser, and following tidy play through the middle, Fabian Johnson struck a low effort wide of the left hand post.

The Spireites goal came in the 33rd minute, as Calkin Hendrix’s pacy run down the right hand side produced a driving cross for Tom Briscoe to volley past James Lindley.

The Chesterfield number 9 had made a darting run across the six yard box to lose his marker, which allowed him the time to wrap his foot round the ball and finish well.

Both goalkeepers were then tested, as Jon Froggatt’s drilled shot from the edge was well held by Aaron Chapman.

At the other end James Lindley made himself big as Calkin Hendrix was played through by Jordan Walshaw and the resulting shot was beaten away to safety.

Then just before the interval, Chesterfield almost took the lead after Jamie McNicholas had ventured forward from right back and met the ball on the half volley 25 yards from goal, striking just wide of the left hand post.

Neither side were able to have the same impact in the second half, as a handful of substitutions interrupted the flow of the game.
A few chances were created by each team, most notably a Tom Briscoe header which smashed against the cross bar, after good work down the right hand side.

Belper then had a similar chance as Steve Warne saw his headed effort fall into the grateful arms of the Chesterfield goalkeeper after Shaun Tuton crossed from the left.

Chesterfield had the last of the chances with two free kicks towards the end, both in a similar left central position. They were both struck well, but substitute ‘keeper Dave Ratcliffe made sure his side held on to share the spoils after 90 minutes.

Belper Town: Lindley, Jones, Rushbury, Harrison, Adam, White, Smyth, Warne (C), Froggatt, Longstaff, Adam. Subs: Ward, Duncum, Owen, Tuton, Holland, Marrison, Rowley, Ratcliffe.

Chesterfield: Chapman (C), McNicholas, Davidson, Gomez, Broadhead, Sherriff, Hendrix, Finlow, Briscoe, Johnson, Walshaw. Subs: Bayne, Hewitt, Mullins, Edridge, Delma, Carey, Massey, Mason.

Referee: Alix Pashley (Chesterfield)

Attendance: 162

Joe Malone