Nailers end losing streak against Loughborough Dynamo

The Nailers travelled to Loughborough on the back of 3 defeats and were desperate to make sure that they collected all 3 points this time out, although they definitely would have been expecting a tough test, with Dynamo sitting in 9th at kick off.

Jermaine Hollis returned to the starting line up after a knock against Spalding United meant that he missed the sides visit to Romulus.This saw Kyle Bryant drop too the bench, with Michael Armstrong filling in at right back.

Although Loughborough had more of the ball in the opening minutes of the game, they looked nowhere near as dangerous as Belper did when in attack.

This could be put down to the quality of the Belper Town defending, alongside some fantastic runs from Alex Steadman at striker.

The first real opportunity of the game came through another superb run by Steadman, he breezed past the Loughborough right back before putting in a low cross to find Hollis in box, but he couldn’t get a clear view of goal and his shot was blocked.

Danny Haystead had very little to do between the sticks for the Nailers in the first half. The closest that anything came too troubling him was a cross from ex Nailer Louis Keenan, his cross flashed across the face of goal, but no one managed to get a touch on it.

Charlie Palmer would certainly be happy at the break as his side were defending much better than they had in previous games, but he would be hoping that his side would create more chances and get the goal they deserved.

This goal looked more and more likely as the game went on, with superb attacking play from the Nailers and some outstanding saves from Loughborough keeper Liam Sharpe throughout the second half.

Belper Town came extremely close through Alex Steadman who hit the outside of the right post from a superb low cross by Griffith-Junior on the right, the goalkeeper was rooted to the spot but agonisingly it was cleared away.

Just moments later, the Nailers came close again, Jonathan Williams’ corner found the head of Phil Watt, his attempt also hit the woodwork before being cleared by the Loughborough defence.

It certainly seemed as if luck was not on the side of the Nailers at that stage and you couldn’t help but wonder whether the goal would ever come for the Nailers.

Then on the 73rd minute, Ruben Wiggins-Thomas received the ball on the edge of the box, his left footed strike clipped the post but this time ended up in the back of the net to give the Nailers a much deserved lead.

Loughborough weren’t going to give up and it took a superb save from Danny Haystead to ensure that the Nailers would keep a clean sheet. The ball came in from the corner and was headed well, but Haystead reacted brilliantly to keep it at 1-0.

But the Nailers weren’t just going to sit back and try and see the game out, as proved by substitute Ryan King. He dribbled into the box superbly before cutting onto his right, breezing past the right back at the same time, before drilling his shot into the bottom corner to seal the game for the Nailers.

Palmer's side saw the game out and collected all 3 points, something they will be looking to do again on Saturday when they face Leek Town at the Marston’s Stadium.