With Andy Richmond unavailable and Ruben Wiggins-Thomas injured for this first ever visit to Outgang Road, manager Tommy Taylor brought in ‘keeper Tom Turner for his first game for the Nailers with Joaquim Ortuno starting on the left.

After disappointing exits against local rivals Holbrook Sports in the last two seasons, the Nailers travelled confident that this year, they would clear the first hurdle without any difficulty.

Conquerors of Spalding United in the previous round, Deeping Rangers had made a modest start to their league campaign and had expected to be eliminated at this stage of the competition by a seemingly stronger side from a higher level in the football pyramid.

The reality proved different and although the Lincolnshire side played some good football in spells, this was a poor result in every way for Tommy Taylor’s team.

It was a scrappy start to the tie but the Nailers created the first opportunity in the 8th minute when Aaron Pride found Lee Morris with a long pass and Jon Froggatt couldn’t make a strong connection with the resulting cross.

Belper had their fair share of free kicks awarded in their favour by a slightly fussy but generally good referee, but Paris Simmons sent the first of these into the defensive wall, and thereby started an afternoon of frustration for the Nailers and their supporters.

Deeping broke down a Belper attack in the 12th minute and moments later they were celebrating their first goal when Matt Heron headed in from close range from a Tony Battersby cross.

It was a huge blow for the Nailers who have grown into a habit of conceding the first goal in games recently.

Jon Froggatt crossed into space after good approach work as they tried to step up the pace in the 15th minute, but there was no cohesion in their play and they had clearly not recovered from going a goal down.

Matt Evans nearly extended Deeping’s lead in the 22nd minute with a strong run and shot that flew just wide of the far post, however as the half wore on the Nailers began to put string their passes together and apply pressure on the Deeping goal.

Deon Meikle might have done better with a half chance as he met a corner kick unchallenged at the far post but he volleyed well wide, and then Joaquim Ortuno (Purito) sent over a good cross to the near post where Paris Simmons headed powerfully into the side netting.

The Nailers finished the half with another effort that whistled just past the upright after a neat move involving Lee Morris that gave Jon Froggatt an opening.

Belper made a strong start to the second period and Purito tested James Doughty in the Deeping goal on 48 minutes then in the 56th minute the Nailers nearly made the break through.

It stemmed from a foul on Lee Morris by Kris Jones.

From the free kick Deon Meikle had a deflected shot parried by Doughty, and as Deeping struggled to get the ball clear Jon Froggatt looked certain to score but his goal bound effort hit the ‘keeper’s arm and went to safety as Froggatt was about to celebrate.

Tom Turner touched over a Matt Heron lob as Deeping caught Belper out on the break in the 65th minute, but with Belper holding the upper hand, an equaliser looked likely.

Tommy Hannigan headed a Paris Simmons cross against the upright with 20 minutes to go, then after a double substitution on 74 minutes, Ben Spargo provided the spark of ingenuity that was required.

Simmons was the creator with a slide rule pass between the Deeping central defenders, and Spargo (pictured) ran through and stroked the ball under the advancing ‘keeper with the sort of confidence that bodes well for his future in the game.

If there were to be a winner than surely it would be Belper who would provide it as they were now dominant, but there was to be an agonising twist remaining in this cup tie.

It came barely three minutes after Spargo’s equaliser when the Nailers failed to clear the ball under routine circumstances, and the impressive Matt Evans snapped up the opportunity to blast the ball into the net and completely deflate Belper.

The Nailers had to pick themselves up again but it was too much for them and although Deon Meikle headed a presentable opportunity over the cross bar on 82 minutes, Deeping knew that the scalp of a higher placed club was now in their reach.

Even 7 minutes additional time couldn’t produce a leveller that to be honest would have been harsh on Deeping, and it was a disconsolate Tommy Taylor that walked off the field at the final whistle.

Deeping Rangers: Doughty, Evans, Fenton, Jones, Tinkler, Weston, Jones, Gilbert, Battersby (Birtles 78), Heron, Moreman (Oliver 45). Unused subs: Kurkmaz.

Belper Town: Turner, Pride, Magee, Camm (Adams 71), Plant, Hannigan, Simmons, Meikle, Froggatt, Morris (Spargo 71), Ortuno (Rushbury 63) Unused subs: Smith.

Referee: Nathan Kennedy (Downham Market)

Att: 128