Frustrating defeat at promotion chasing Spalding

This came just a week after the Nailers won by a goal with a late penalty at a team challenging for the play offs.

And it was a penalty that decided the game once again; as Connor Higginson made a run into the box, he was brought down by Mikey Armstrong and the referee instantly pointed to the spot.

Lee Beeson stepped up for the Tulips and the blasted the penalty into the goal to give Spalding the lead.

Up until that point; Belper had gone toe-to-toe with the team in 3rd place, very similarly to last week’s game.

Although chances were most certainly at a premium and any opportunity that come would most certainly have to be taken.

The closest that Belper really came was through Evan Garnett; his distant shot looked dangerous but the deflection from a Spalding player took all the venom out of the forwards shot.

The forward was worryingly forced off the field just after this. He went down off the ball holding his leg in what was suspected as a hamstring injury; adding to an already extensive Belper Town injury list.

The biggest opportunity for the Nailers to equalise fell to Ruben Wiggins-Thomas; he made a run into the box and had the opportunity to play it across the box.

However; the forward cut inside and tried a shot but it was saved easily by the keeper, much to the frustration of his team mates.

What could have been a nervy ending was handled excellently by the Spalding defence; killing any real late attacks before they could even begin.

The Belper players showed that they can compete with the big teams in this league such as Leek Town and Spalding United; only conceding one goal against these two promotion contenders.

But the lack of lethality is something that has been an issue for the Nailers all season and that certainly cost them in the trip to Spalding.