Nabil Shariff, who made his debut for Belper after signing from Stamford, was on target to score an equaliser with nine minutes remaining in this close fought derby fixture.

The Bucks started the brighter of the two teams and had two early efforts inside the first nine minutes.

The first came for Craig Nelthorpe who found space on the left hand side on the fifth minute. Nelthorpe carried the ball forward and let fly from 12 yards, only for Lister to make a terrific block inside the box.

Liam Hardy then cut in from the left hand side on the edge of the box and saw his low shot tipped away by Dan
Haystead three minutes later.

Belper then had two half chances go amiss as they began to settle in to the game as Paul Lister and Michael Towey both saw efforts fall wide of the post after crosses into the box.

Buxton took the lead on the 23rd minute through on-loan winger Bradley Barraclough.

The Bucks earned a corner on the left hand side which was headed out by the Nailers defence but only into the path of Nelthorpe whose cross was on the money for Barraclough who stole in unmarked from eight yards out to steer his header in to the bottom left corner.

The remainder of the first half produced only one genuine scoring opportunity as Shariff took advantage of a miscued clearance but his attempt on goal was saved well by Jameson, who spread himself well in a one-on-one situation with the Nailers debutant.

The second half saw a much improved performance from the Nailers who pressed for an equaliser, but the visitors also had chances of their own to double their lead.

Jonathan Williams has two efforts on goal inside the first twelve minutes. His first effort was a well driven shot from 30 yards which dropped inches wide of goal, before his second goal-bound effort was blocked well.

Buxton then had three golden opportunities from inside the box, in which they failed to take advantage to put the game out of sight.

Alastair Taylor saw a shot blaze high and wide of the goal after breaking through on the right hand side on the 64th minute.

Taylor then came even closer three minutes later as his headed effort smashed the crossbar before Nelthorpe laced his follow-up shot over from ten yards.

Eight minutes later Nelthorpe then had another chance from an identical position to his first but again blazed his shot over the crossbar when a touch more composure would have reaped dividends.

Rob Stevenson then came off the bench to make the difference for Belper, adding pace and power to the home side’s attacking intentions.

The Nailers got their equaliser nine minutes from time, thanks to the good work by Stevenson.

Phil Watt played a neat ball over the top into the path of Stevenson who got behind his man, beat the defender the pace and drilled a low ball across the box which Jon Froggatt challenged with the 'keeper.

The ball broke nicely for Nabil Shariff, who took a good first touch and placed his shot into the right hand corner to top off a positive debut performance.

Jon a Froggatt had a late penalty claim which was turned down by referee Watson just minutes from time.

Belper Town:Haystead, Turner, Potts (Matthews 7), Lister, Miller, Watt, Williams (Stevenson 74), Ross, Froggatt, Shariff, Towey. Subs: Warne, Varley.

Buxton FC: Jameson, Bryne (Burbeary 84), Green, Wilson, Palmer, Meynell, Barraclough (Taylor 60), Stevens, Reed (Tuton 60), Hardy, Nelthope. Subs: Niven, Ryan.

Referee: Luke Watson (Barnsley)

Attendance: 386