Five changes were made to the team that beat Staveley Miners Welfare four days earlier, with Shaun Roulston, Andy Rushbury, Glyn Cotton, Shaun Tuton and Jamie Jackson all starting for the Nailers.

Belper were missing Chris Jones and Aaron Pride through injury, Steve Warne and Martin Smyth through holiday commitments and former Ilkeston player, Sam Duncum though illness.

In a game of end-to-end action, the excitement began after just 50 seconds when Jamie Jackson picked the ball up in the middle of the park and cleverly turned his way out of trouble to begin running at the Ilkeston defence.

Coming in from the left, his close control caused problems for the Robins’ backline as his pace took him away from two challenges and then drilled a fierce shot into the near corner which give the Nailers an early lead.

The game then continued to provide entertainment, with both teams signalling their intent with fast attacking football, with chances going begging at regular intervals.

Eight minutes in, defender Dan White played a 30 yard pass towards Shaun Tuton on the right hand side and his skilful run took him past Ryan Wilson but the resulting cross was cleared.

The equalising goal for Ilkeston came after 22 minutes when goalkeeper Rob Peet played a long ball downfield which was accurately headed on by Matt Richards into the path of Jason Stokes who hit it first time on the half volley and watched it fly past the helpless David Ratcliffe.

Two minutes after the restart Belper threw themselves right back into the game with Nailers' captain Colin Marrison's taking an excellent shot which was destined for the top right corner of the goal if not for the safe hands of Robins keeper Rob Peet who denied the Nailers their second.

But Ilkeston’s direct approach was causing real problems for the Nailers defence and with Gary Ricketts’ height up front, the combination was proving extremely difficult for the Nailers to deal with.

Ilkeston then nearly took the lead after a delightful combination between Adams and Richards put Adams one-on-one with Ratcliffe, only for the Robins’ youngster to fire his shot across the face of the goal and inches wide of the far post.

Peter Duffield’s half time team talk seemed to do the trick, as it took just 15 seconds for Jon Froggatt to give Belper Town the lead for a second time.

The ball was hoisted downfield immediately from the kick off and a weak header from Broadhurst towards Rob Peet fell short of its intended target, which allowed Froggatt through to glide the ball past the despairing ‘keeper with consummate ease.

The Nailers talisman once again showed his ability to finish when given half a chance.

Ilkeston again responded well and equalised in the 52nd minute when a corner kick from the left was headed towards the back post for the unmarked Stokes to chest in his second goal of the game with the Nailers appealing vainly for offside.

A series of substitutions from both teams then proved to be a turning point in the game.

Belper Town began to take control and starting to apply a degree of pressure on the visitors and Ilkeston now struggled to retain possession for any sustained length of time.

The Nailers went close to re-taking the lead on the hour mark when a corner from the right was headed on by Dan White into the six yard box for Jamie Jackson to produce an acrobatic volley which smashed against the cross bar.

There is no doubt that Jackson’s trickery and ability to produce the unexpected will certainly excite the fans this coming season.

And Belper had the final say in the match, when lively substitute, Anthony Rowley played in a terrific cross from the right, which was guided in by substitute Ashley Longstaff at the far post.

Belper Town: Ratcliffe, Roulston, Rushbury, Cotton, Adams, White, Tuton, Marrison (C), Froggatt, Jackson, Brown. Subs: Adam, Longstaff, Ward, Colley, Rowley.

Ilkeston: Peet, Kozluk, R Wilson, L Wilson, Storey, Broadhurst, Stokes, Adams, Ricketts, K Richards, M Richards. Subs: Baker, Gordon, Chettle, Hooten, Russell, Williams, Green, Low.

Referee: Ollie Bickle (Derby)

Attendance: 182