PHOTO: Eric Graves protests with referee Dave Plowright. Credit: Tim Harrison
In the first ever meeting between these two sides, Belper had the better of the chances throughout, Morris’ won a penalty which he converted against the run of play on the half-hour mark.
As the Nailers were chasing the game in the second half, Morris again upset the home crowd as he tapped home Rob Youhill’s centre midway through the second period.
Belper had a couple of golden opportunities to take the lead before Morris’ penalty, after 15 minutes a Jonathan Williams corner found Phil Watt on the edge of the area, his curling effort crashed off the underside of the bar and Alex Steadman could only head over the rebound.
Minutes later Steadman was denied by a fantastic save from Ian Deakin in the away sides goal, Watt found Evan Garnett down the right channel, his centre found Steadman who must have been wondering what he had to do to score.
With 30 minutes on the clock the Belper defence did not deal with a long ball and Morris found himself through on goal, Ross Parker did his best to recover but could only bundle over the Ducks player/manager.
Morris started the game on the bench but came on for the injured Gavin Allott after just 12 minutes, he smashed the ball home from the penalty spot to break the deadlock.
Alex Steadman had another chance early in the second half, another Williams’ corner fell to the Nailers forward who chested down well but fired the ball just over the bar.
Just before the hour mark Evan Garnett raced clear down the right again and his pull back found Steadman, his header was brilliantly kept out again by the Ducks ‘keeper Deakin, Ben Watkis did his best to scramble the rebound home but the Aquaforce defence somehow kept their clean sheet intact.
The Nailers travel to Sheffield FC on Monday as they continue their campaign under Charlie Palmer.
Belper Town: Haystead (GK), Allen, Cole, Williams, Parker, Watt, Stevenson, Graves (Capt.), Garnett, Watkis (Wood 88’), Steadman (Shannon-Lewis 63’). Unused subs: Shaw, Palmer, Mansfield.
Shaw Lane Aquaforce: Deakin (GK), Stoher, O’Brien, Istead, Radford, Jones (Meynell 74’), Youhill, Thornhill (Capt.), Allott (Morris 31’), Bennett (Priestley 67’), Dean. Unused subs: Sharry, Davidson.
Attendance: 250
Referee: Dave Plowright (Clipstone)