The home side earned an early penalty resulting from a fast start, as Rob Stevenson found space on the left and cut inside, only to be tripped by a defender inside the box on the 6th minute.

Ian Ross was on penalty duty as usual spot kick taker Froggatt stood to one side, and Ross coolly tucked his penalty away low into the net.

The game then displayed good tempo with both sides creating good opportunities as Blyth searched for an equaliser.

Three goals in 11 minutes for Spartans saw them take a healthy lead going into half time, with all three goals coming in a similar fashion.

The first came on the 26th minute as the dangerous Robbie Dale picked the ball up on the right hand side and began terrorising the defenders in front of him.

Dale took on two men and ran through the bodies inside the area to force his way to the by-line, where he pulled his cross back to Daniel Maguire seven yards out, to smash the ball into the roof of the net.

The Nailers then hit the woodwork twice in two minutes, as Matt Varley headed a cross onto the top of the bar, and Ian Ross saw his free kick deflected onto the far post as the ‘keeper stood flat footed.

Then, Blyth took the lead on the 35th minute through Robbie Dale.

This time it was Jarret Rivers on the right hand side causing Belper all the problems. His jinking run inside and out, helped him take on his marker and open up space inside the box for a powerful shot on goal.

James Martin made the save, but could only parry the ball high out to Maguire whose header was then cleared off the line by Pride. However, Robbie Dale was on hand from seven yards out to fire the ball into the back of the net and turn the game on its head.

It took just two minutes for Blyth to make it three, as once again a strong run by forward Maguire into the box proved all too much for Belper, as Pride tripped his man to concede a penalty.

Robbie Dale took charge for his side and neatly placed the ball into the bottom left, despite Martin’s best efforts to keep it out.

The Nailers came out with a point to prove in the second half as they pushed their opponents back with a Rob Stevenson inspired performance down the left hand side.

However, a clumsy foul on Stevenson left the Belper winger unconscious following a boot to the face, and the home side had to part with their most likely source for the remainder of the game.

Blyth then made it four and seemingly put the game to bed, as Dale finished brilliantly for his hat-trick after 68 minutes.

With the Nailers pressing high, spaces opened up for Blyth on the break, and Dale found room inside the box on the left hand side. After taking a touch to control, Dale fizzed a delightful shot into the far corner, leaving Martin helpless on his line.

Belper refused to lie down in the game and just one minute later, they scored their second goal through Jon Froggatt.

Marrison brought the ball in from the left and played a square pass to Warne. Warne then played a pass first time to the unmarked Froggatt inside the box, who set himself well and finished his shot nicely to give the Nailers renewed hope.

Finally, Steve Warne produced a powerful drive from 20 yards in stoppage time to reduce the deficit to just one goal.

However, it proved too little too late for Belper, who once again came so close to a more than deserved point.

Belper Town: James Martin, Aaron Pride, Jordan Nadat (Bruno Holden 60), Ian Ross, Matt Varley, Tom Burgin, Aaron Cole, Steve Warne, Jon Froggatt, Glyn Cotton, Rob Stevenson (Colin Marrison 65). Subs: Evan Garnett, Kieran Walker, Scott Low.

Blyth Spartans: Peter Jeffries, Joel Dixon, Jordan Watson (Damen Mullen 86), Ryan Hutchinson, Nathan Buddle, Stephen Turnbull, Jarret Rivers (Arran Wearmouth 77), Daniel Hawkins, Daniel Maguire, Mathew Wade, Robbie Dale Jonathan Quinn (90). Subs: Alex Nicholson, Ryan Cummings.

Referee: Mark Griffiths (Halesowen)

Attendance: 256