The clean sheet was Jimmy Albans' first since taking over the club, as Belper were able to hold out without a late scare on this occasion, after dropping many crucial points to late goals this season.

On a difficult pitch and in a swirling wind, Belper were marginally the better side throughout, but were unable to create much in the way of clear-cut opportunities.

Ian Ross had the first effort of the game after a neat flick from Nabil Shariff was played in to the path of the Belper midfielder but his shot rolled kindly to goalkeeper Andy Robinson.

Jon Froggatt soon had a sighter from long range, only for his shot to blaze half a yard wide.

Michael Towey and Steve Warne both saw efforts go amiss, whilst Witton had two shots blocked in between.

But the best chance of the game came in the 36th minute for the home side after a good break down the left hand side.

Jamie Rainford squared the ball to Alex Titchiner inside the box, and the forward hit a precise shot to the bottom left hand corner with the inside of his right foot, only for the ball to bounce back off the inside of the post and in to the grateful arms of Danny Haystead.

Nabil Shariff headed too high from a Scott Matthews free kick, while Michael Towey skewed off-target when he had a glimpse of goal five minutes before the break.

Belper then had a good opportunity minutes before the half time whistle as Michael Towey played a terrific through ball to Scott Matthews who drove a low effort just past the far post, when he had Shariff available in the middle.

The second half produced little as both sides saw out a dogged 45 minutes.

Ex-Nailers defender Liam Goulding flashed a header wide on the hour mark, and Danny Andrews curled a brilliant free kick from right to left which saw Haystead make a classy save with ten minutes remaining.

Witton sent on Lucas Molina to add aerial strength to Albion’s front-line but his presence failed to produce a clear cut chance to score as the Nailers rearguard held out comfortably.

Witton Albion: Robertson, Goulding, Dawson, John Shaw, Barnes, Joe Shaw (Simpson 86), Schofield, Clark (Parker 74), Rainford (Molina 72), Titchiner, Andrews. Subs: Roddan, Swift.

Belper Town: Haystead, Turner, Matthews (Potts 59), Lister, Varley, Miller, Ross, Warne, Shariff, Froggatt (Stevenson 70), Towey. Subs: Grimes.

Referee: Martyn Rawcliffe (Manchester)

Attendance: 296