Gresley almost handed the Nailers a gift when Matt Roome's header was woefully short of reaching keeper Rob Peet and Alex Steadman nipped in, but his shot lacked any power and flew straight into the arms of Peet.

Steadman went close again just before the half hour mark but this time his effort went into the side netting.

Another Belper chance followed a couple of minutes later with Jonathan Williams firing straight at Peet.

The main threat to the Belper defence was coming from winger Pearson Mwanyongo. His lightning pace and tricky footwork continually caused problems for the Nailers back line however his end product in the first half failed to match his approach play with a number of shots and crosses flying harmlessly over the crossbar.

Gresley were reduced to 10 men mid way through the half. Dexter Morris-Clarke went in with a strong tackle on John Guy which the referee felt deserving of a red card.

On the cusp of half time, team numbers were equal once again when John Guy was deemed to have handled the ball in the penalty and duly received a second yellow card as Belper Town were also reduced to 10 men.

Pearson Mwanyongo converted his penalty perfectly into the top left of the goal.

The Nailers came out in the second half creating chances and controlling the game, in similar vein to the first half.

Just two minutes into the half, they came close to getting themselves an equaliser. A superb ball over the top of the Gresley defence fell to the feet of Eric Graves, but his volley was saved well by Rob Peet.

Just two minutes later, Gresley FC extended their lead through the dangerous Mwanyongo.

He picked up the ball on the halfway line and as a succession of Belper defenders failed to close him down, Mwanyongo cruised into the penalty area before and finished coolly into the left side of the goal.

Belper Town got themselves back into the game through Charlie Gatter on the hour mark. Jonathan Williams’ free kick on the was met by the unmarked Gatter and his header floated perfectly into the bottom left hand corner.

The Nailers were now back in the game and continue to push the Gresley defence. A glorious chance fell to Alex Steadman but his shot was well blocked by Peet with the follow up smashed over the bar.

But the best chance for the Nailers to level the scores again fell to Steadman who rose the highest to powerfully head a cross at the far post goalwards only for a superb save from Peet tipping the ball away for a corner.

Belper continued to pile on the pressure with Steadman bursting through the back line only for his final shot not troubling Peet as the weak shot was caught easily. Gatter then had a half chance but his header flew fractionally wide of the far post.

Despite the previous game being played predominantly in the Gresley half, it was the visitors who almost extended their advantage. Reece Morris burst forward cut in and struck a ferocious shot which clattered the junction of post and bar, with Danny Haystead a spectator.

Belper Town: Haystead, Bryant, Guy, Graves (Ball 79), Gatter, Watt, Constable (Allen 45), Williams, Wiggins-Thomas, Hollis, Steadman. Other Subs: J Palmer, G Palmer, Armstrong.

Gresley FC: Peet, Roome, Egginton, Carlisle, Harrison (Samba 76), Mwanyongo, Morris, (Pearson 84), Chitiza, Meade, Manship (Fura 48). Other Subs: Hamilton, Harris

Referee: Steven Abbott (Sutton in Ashfield)

Attendance: 319