Nailers Suffer Another Home Defeat

Belper went into the game off the back of a disappointing defeat in their visit to Market Drayton and they were hoping to get their season back on track with a first home win of the season.

In total contrast, Rushden & Diamonds travelled to the Marston’s Stadium after recording back to back victories, including a 6-1 demolition of Histon, so the Nailers certainly had their work cut out for them if they were going to get the win they needed.

It looked even less likely 5 minutes into the game when they surrendered the lead in a rather weak fashion. Nabil Shariff used his exceptional pace to breeze through the Belper defence, his shot was saved by Danny Haystead in the Belper goal but only as far as Nic Evangelinos who tucked away into the empty net.

But the Nailers showed some fighting spirit after they earned a penalty just 2 minutes later when Alex Steadman was brought down in the box. Ruben Wiggins-Thomas stepped up to take the penalty and converted calmly to bring the Nailers back level.

Rushden & Diamonds were forced into an early substitution as Richard Bunting limped off the field to be replaced by Lewis Wilson.

This move would prove to be a master stroke as Wilson restored his side's lead with his first touch of the ball. Shariff made another excellent run into the Belper box before squaring the ball across to Wilson, he used his first touch too stick the ball in the goal.

Rushden & Diamonds took no time in extending their lead after the break, with them scoring on the 50th minute. Shariff turned provider once again as he picked out an exceptional ball to find Taylor Orosz unmarked in the Belper penalty area, he volleyed the ball superbly to give Haystead no chance of keeping it out.

Belper looked for a swift reply to this goal in order to keep them in the game, just six minutes later Jermaine Hollis delivered a perfect ball for Alex Steadman who was six yards out. Steadman headed agonisingly over the bar, much to the frustration of the Belper fans.

It soon went from bad to worse for the Nailers as Rushden & Diamonds sealed the game with their fourth. Belper failed to clear a Rushden & Diamonds corner properly, the ball eventually found it’s way too the feet of Liam Dolman who smashed the ball into the roof of the net to seal his side's victory and seal the Nailers fifth home defeat of the season.