After a fortnight without a competitive game, it was a new-look Nailers that took to the field against the Kirkby Roaders, with senior players, Jon Froggatt, Steve Warne and Aaron Pride all being dropped to the bench, as Ben Turner, Conor Marshall and Jamie McGhee all made their debuts.

While the new players all require a bedding-in period, it was perhaps the most nondescript performance of the season so far, with only four meaningful attempts at goal proving any sort of threat throughout the 90 minutes.

The first chance of the game came after eight minutes for the home side.

Alex Tomkinson, who proved a danger throughout the game, struck a half volley from inside the box which was grasped by James Martin on his goal-line.

Tomkinson then curled a neat free kick towards the target six minutes later, but once again his strike fell comfortably for the reliable Nailers goalkeeper.

However, on the 21st minute, Alex Tomkinson got his reward for persistence, scoring the only goal of the game and giving his side a deserved lead.

The ball was worked in to the box from right to left by Jamie Towers, and a mix up in defence for the Nailers proved costly as Tomkinson caught Martin off his line, to delicately chip him from ten yards out.

The game then hit a sticky patch as both sides worked hard to try and gain control, with neither able to do so for the remainder of the first half.

Belper then created their first two decent chances of the game close to half time.

The first came through the industrious Jamie McGhee as he teed up Jonathan Williams on the edge of the box to strike at goal, only for his shot to be closed down well by the defender.

The Nailers were able to keep up the pressure and right-back Ben Turner tried his luck from 25 yards, but was unable to force the ball beyond the massed ranks inside the penalty box.

The second half proved a struggle for both teams with neither side able to create a good spell of pressure against the opposition.

But Nigel Julian and Ant Carney both came close for Barwell as they saw their efforts flash inches wide of the post either side of the hour mark.

James Martin was then forced into action again against the menacing Tomkinson as his effort was touched wide by the Belper 'keeper.

McGhee then produced the Nailers best moment in the 75th minute as he saw two chances go amiss inside the Barwell penalty box.

This first chance came after some neat skill by McGhee to work himself half a yard of space before unleashing the shot, which in turn was blocked well by the defender.

McGhee picked up the pieces to earn a second bite at the cherry as this time he cut back onto his left foot and neatly curled an effort towards the far corner, only to see the ball go despairingly past the post.

The game then witnessed a moment of madness with ten minutes left of play.

The on-rushing Martin made a fine save at the feet of Towers, coming away with the ball, only for the referee to award a penalty for an apparent foul on the Barwell striker despite no appeals being made by the home team.

As expected, the Belper players surrounded the referee in disbelief, while the home side couldn't believe their luck.

However, the controversy didn't end there as Barwell goalkeeper Liam Castle stepped up to take his teams' penalty, which was saved magnificently by Martin down to his right hand side.

Then, with the Barwell 'keeper well out of position, Martin pumped the ball forward for a Belper attack, only for the referee to stop play for an apparent foul on a Nailers player outside his own penalty area, without allowing the play to continue.

As the match drifted towards a conclusion, Barwell came close one last time with a brilliant effort from Malcolm Melvin that struck the bar from distance.

Barwell: Castle, Woodward, Nisevic, Jenno, Towers, Julian, Tomkinson, Melvin, Towers, Brehon (Colley 67), Carney. Subs: Hood, Hadland, Rickards.

Belper Town: Martin, Turner, Matthews (Pride 88), Marshall, Adams, Watt, Ross, Towey, McGhee, Stevenson (Froggatt 64), Williams (Lister 64). Subs: Varley, Warne.

Referee: Joe Clark (Walsall)

Attendance: 228