Peter Duffield was forced to shuffle his defence as Dan White was unavailable due to an eye injury, meaning Chris Jones partnered Regan Edridge in central defence with Aaron Pride starting at right back.

The first half remained goalless, mainly thanks to the Nailers’ goalkeeper James Martin, who made a string of excellent saves as Belper endured almost constant pressure from the Rebels.

The first chance of the game came for United captain Dean Stott who found space on the right inside the box, before firing in the shot which was matched well by Martin.

Minutes later, a fortunate deflection led to the ball falling nicely for Mike Norton through on goal, who stretched to get the shot in but Martin came out well to block his attempt.

The Nailers had their first meaningful effort on 19 minutes when an Aaron Pride cross from the right was headed well by Wells inside the box, looping over the goalkeeper, however Carnell did brilliantly to backpedal and tip the ball over the bar.

Further efforts for Kieran Wells for Belper and Matty Wolfenden for United both came close, and a blistering effort from Stott on the right hand side was brilliantly touched on to the crossbar by Martin, going behind for a unrewarded corner.

The second half produced four goals, with the Nailers coming close to glory only to be denied with minutes remaining.

The first goal came after 56 minutes when a Regan Edridge clearance hit the back of a United player and floated its way back into the box. Wolfenden stretched to steer the ball into the middle, where Mike Norton was there to poke the ball home.

The Nailers found a brilliant reply just two minutes later. Substitute, Evan Garnett came on to make an instant contribution flicking the ball neatly into the path of Rob Stevenson. Stevenson ran at the defence and curled a pass into the path of Jon Froggatt who placed his shot neatly into the near corner, and silence the home crowd.

Then surprisingly Belper went on to take the lead after 68 minutes.

With United playing casually at the back, Stevenson stole in to win the ball back off Andy Pearson and steamed towards the penalty area with intent. The Nailers winger cut the ball back to Evan Garnett who was there to slot the ball in to the empty net, scoring his first competitive goal for his home town club.

United then began to throw the kitchen sink in an attempt to bring to scores level.

But, when Garnett was played through on the 89th minute, many anticipated the game would be put to bed but closing in on goal down the left, Garnett's shot came back off the outside of the post, affording a glimmer of hope to the home side.

Football can be a cruel game at times, and from the goal kick taken following Garnett's missed effort, a rare mistake by the otherwise solid Chris Jones let Tom Greaves in down the right hand side of the penalty area.

Greaves remained composed, beating Edridge for skill, and slotting the ball in through the ‘keeper’s legs, to leave the Nailers players with their heads in their hands.

FC United of Manchester: David Carnell, Dean Stott, Andy Pearson, Dave Birch (Liam Brownhill 64), Chris Lynch, James Knowles, Matthew Wolfenden (John Pritchard 73), Joe Fox, Mike Norton, Jerome Wright, Greg Daniels (Tom Greaves 64). Subs: Connor Bower, Callum Bryne.

Belper Town: James Martin, Aaron Pride, Billy Bennett, Ian Ross, Regan Edridge, Chris Jones, Colin Marrison, Steve Warne, Jon Froggatt (Mark Ward 73), Kieran Wells (Evan Garnett 58), Rob Stevenson (Simon Harrison 84). Subs: Aaron Cole, Scot Low.

Referee: Billy Smallwood (Northwich)

Attendance: 1,849

Joe Malone