Nailers secure first away win

Ashley Burbeary (pictured) scored the only goal of the game, as Jon Froggatt's men gave a classy defensive performance to take all three points.

Nabil Shariff had the game’s first chance after five minutes after Ryan Robbins good run down the left hand side.

Robbins found his way to the by-line and pulled back a low cross where Shariff stabbed the ball wide.

Belper then had their first opportunity three minutes later when a corner by Ian Ross was met by Michael Towey, whose header was caught well by ‘keeper, Andy Stevens.

Jon Froggatt nearly put the Nailers ahead after a misjudgement by the defender saw the ball bounce over his head to give the Belper player/manager the chance to pounce.

Froggatt ran through and smashed the half volley goalward but Stevens plunged to his right to make a fine save.

The Nailers took the lead on 18 minutes when Glyn Cotton did well to keep the ball in play down the left hand side.

The ball was worked across to Towey on the right who found a cross which fell nicely for Ashley Burbeary eight yards out who instantly killed the ball before driving his shot low into the far corner from 12 yards.

Daniels’ captain Ryan Clarke then struck a pile driver from distance on the stroke of half time, which came rattling back off the crossbar and just for once, Belper had enjoyed a slice of luck.

The second half produced few clear cut chances.

The Nailers were happy to concede possession and to hustle the Stamford players at every opportunity, giving them little room in which to construct any clear-cut chances.

The tactics worked perfectly as Belper defended with aplomb and persistent pressure by the Daniels was cancelled out time after time.

Belper were happy to construct their own chances on the break and the carved out three or four chances to make the game safe.

First, Steve Warne worked his way into a good position only to blot his copybook with a weak effort on goal and Richard Adams ought to have done better when his back post header was directed just over the crossbar from an Ian Ross corner .

Then, Michael Towey and Chris Jones both saw well-struck efforts parried away by Andy Stevens

But the majority of play continued in the Belper half but the Nailers held on well to claim all three points.

Stamford: Stevens, Clarke, Jackson (Bird 61), Carr, Curtis, Bettles (McGowan 84), Lawlor, Challinor, Shariff, Built, Robbins. Subs: Thorpe, Staff, Feetham.

Belper Town: Martin, Goulding, Pride, Ross, Watt, Adams, Cotton (Stevenson 65), Warne, Froggatt (Ward 87), Towey, Burbeary (Jones 77). Subs: Varley, Ratcliffe.

Referee: Guy Stretton (Leicester)

Attendance: 209