Spalding United frustrate the Nailers in a scoredraw

Belper came from behind in another solid display but were disappointed at not snatching all three points.

Only one inforced change for Belper, Sam Birks replaced Alex Steadman upfront, who picked up an injury pre match.

Belper set off on the front foot, hassling the home side and forcing errors, much like the midweek game at Kidsgrove.

Fast starts mean very however little when you concede a penalty 11 minutes in, Hayden Goodard being the unfortunate culprit.

After misplacing his clearence and fouling Cenk Acar inside the area, Daniel Brooks converted Spalding’s spotkick.

The Nailers didn’t hang around in self pity. Swiftly breaking through the middle of the pitch, the ball made it’s way to Dylan Garnett who looked to curl a shot but it finished high and wide.

Still the Nailers knocked at the door, stringing impressive build ups together but lacked a killer pass or cross in the final third.

Lee Williamson brought the ball out of the air onto his left foot, only to see his goalbound effort cleared off the line.

Typically being a goal behind has damned Webster’s side this season, yet his squad stuck to a gameplan efficiently and never looked like caving in.

Garnett tricked his way to the byeline and found Leondro Browne with the pull back, who could only skew his shot over. The second half was there for the taking.

A very much mirrored second half from the first saw Belper attack with intent, the front four forcing the team forward while the defence stood strong.

Like a ballet dancer, Browne pirouetted inside the area and stabbed the ball goalwards, forcing a simple enough save from Michael Duggan.

It was a moment of pure quality that levelled the game for Belper just past the hour. Williamson stood over the freekick 25 yards out and delightfully curled the ball into the top corner.

Callum Lloyd took his effort on the run but couldn’t keep it on target; Brooks for Spalding followed suit, his missing by a much thinner margin.

Relentless defending by the homeside and non-stop pressure from Belper led to a tired, back and forth final exchanges.

Despite the sense that a draw wasn’t a fair result, travelling away and taking something from the game will be a large positive to Webster.

With Romulus at home on Tuesday night, he will look to extend his unbeaten streak.

Belper Town: Searson- Smithard, Thornberry, Goddard, Allen, Harrison, Carlisle, Garnett (Steele 85), Lloyd, Birks, Williamson, Browne (Jebbison 85). Unused subs: Cole, Hallahan.

Spalding United: Duggan, Miller, Hugo, Varley, Humble, Spafford, Fixter, Brooks, White, Marshall (Walker 81), Acar. Unused subs: Floyd, Davison, Woulds, Smith.

Ref: Martin Chester

Att: 69.