Added time agony for Nailers

The Nailers were forced to make a goal keeping change after Adam Ogden failed to recover from a hip injury sustained in last Saturday’s home draw against Goole, and Martin Kearney (pictured)came in instead.

Andy Rushbury was available for selection after missing out against the Vikings and was recalled to the starting line up with Luke Fedorenko reverting to the subs bench.

After leading the table early on in the season, Leek Town had suffered a decline in fortunes and started the game in mid table albeit just two points behind Belper.

The Nailers started the game with a bang and took the lead in the 2nd minute after the Leek defence got into a muddle and Lee Stevenson took advantage of a rebound to slot the ball past the exposed Steve Hodgson.

Andy Rushbury’s close control nearly produced a second goal but Hodgson was quick to react to his shot at the near post, and Lee Stevenson tested the ‘keeper on 14 minutes with a well struck free kick that was well held by the ‘keeper.

Andy Rushbury almost caught him out with a cross cum shot that landed on the cross bar, but Steve Brannan had Leek’s first direct effort in the 21st minute, however Martin Kearney managed to grab hold of the ball at the second attempt before Mark Grice could nip in and take advantage.

The Nailers suffered a blow in the 25th minute when Anthony Wilson had to leave the field following a clash with Leek skipper Andy Taylor, and Dean Oliver took his place.

Belper suffered a scare on 28 minutes when Kearney couldn’t hold a shot from distance and James Colliver was in the right place to stop Grice’s follow up shot going over the line.

Ben Walker created a shooting opportunity moments later but couldn’t squeeze the ball in at the near post but did win a corner kick for the Nailers.

The remainder of the half was a scrappy affair with neither side able to string more than three passes together, and with little end product.

The second half began in the same vein and heavy rain wasn’t making things easy for the players.

Leek substituted both of their full backs in the 56th minute which left most of the crowd scratching their heads, although it soon became clear that they had reverted to a back three formation.

Luke Fedorenko replaced Andy Rushbury to add width to the attack, and in the 65th minute Dean Oliver created a half chance with a sharp turn on the byline but the ball went out of play.

Mark Grice had a presentable opportunity in the 28th minute after Matt Johnson lofted a ball into the Belper penalty area and the Leek striker volleyed the loose ball wide of the far post.

The Nailers had a glorious opportunity to seal the points in the 82nd minute after Lee Stevenson delivered an inviting cross from the left, and Ben Walker ran in and hit the ball wide of the gaping goal.

Lee Stevenson was twice denied by good saves from the ‘keeper as the Nailers peppered the Leek penalty area with crosses in the last five minutes, and in the last minute of normal time Luke Fedorenko curled a shot just wide of the far post.

But after all the pressure the Nailers had exerted on the Leek goal the visitors grabbed a 91st minute equaliser when Leon Ashman took advantage of hesitation in the Nailers defence to slot the ball home.

For the second game running the Nailers dropped valuable points at home, and on this occasion they only have themselves to blame.

Belper Town: Kearney, Harcourt, Haigh, Naylor, Colliver, Adams, Telling, Stevenson, Walker, Wilson (Oliver 25), Rushbury (Fedorenko 63). Other subs: Hudson, Mirfin, Pride.

Leek Town: Hodgson, Johnson P (Ashman 56), Fullalove (Ruddock 56), Taylor, Ward, Johnson M, Brannan, Hawthorne, Grice, McMahon (Robinson 75), Corden. Other subs: Johnson W, Cope.

Referee: M Walsh (Sheffield)

Attendance: 157

Tim Harrison's Photo Gallery:http://www.timharrisonphotography.com/NailersAction/LkTnH0910/index.html