Another pointless night in Grantham

Luke Fedorenko (pictured) reappeared for the Nailers after everyone thought he had left the club and he came in to add pace and inventiveness, qualities that the Nailers have been lacking in recent weeks.

Ben Leonard was named captain in the absence of Colin Marrison and with Jordan Turner suspended, a lack of numbers meant that assistant manager Mick Godber was on the bench.

The Nailers had not won a game at Grantham since 1964 and unfortunately they weren’t able to change that dismal record on this occasion but considering that the Gingerbreads are riding high in the upper reaches of the division, this was a creditable performance by Peter Duffield’s men.

It wasn’t the most promising of starts with as Grantham had the best of the opening 20 minutes or so and Gio Carchedi nearly scored after 6 minutes with a header against the cross bar.

Paul Grimes blasted over a free kick from the edge of the area a minute later, and in the 14th minute the Gingerbreads took the lead when Belper defender Charlie Weir arguably got the final touch to a Lee Potts’ cross into the six yard area although Paul Grimes would probably have helped it in anyway.

Andy Richmond prevented a second goal in the 24th minute when Ben Saunders had a clear run on goal, but the Belper custodian made a fine block to deny the Grantham skipper.

The Nailers began to work hard after this and clawed back ground with some tenacious tackling and neat passing.

Ashley Longstaff had a rising shot just over the bar in the 27th minute and Jon Froggatt might have equalised five minutes later when he squandered a half chance after the ball dropped to him just outside the six yard area.

Deon Meikle, having one of his better games for the Nailers almost caught out the Grantham ‘keeper with a tremendous effort from 35 yards, and although Murray just recovered in time, this was confidence boosting stuff for Belper.

The Gingerbreads were struggling in the wake of Belper’s newfound belief and were receiving some stick from their fans, but in the 39th minute they went two goals ahead when Andy Richmond came and missed a hanging cross leaving Rhys Lewis the opportunity to head the ball into the gaping goal.

A 2-0 lead was barely deserved but it left Belper with a mountain to climb after the break.

In fact they gave a very good account of themselves right from the whistle and only in the later stages when they sent players up field did Grantham look like adding to their total.

The problem for the Nailers was that despite a much improved presence on the ball, their attacking style was too ponderous and lacked pace where it counts.

Deon Meikle had a tame shot that went straight to the ‘keeper in the 48th minute and soon after Ashley Longstaff latched on to a clever Meikle pass but was once again denied by Murray in the Grantham goal.

Longstaff cleverly made room for a shot in the 72nd minute and found the target from 22 yards out, but he wasn’t able to trouble the ‘keeper who had the shot covered.

The Gingerbreads came close to catching the Nailers on the break in the latter stages but any further punishment would have been unfair to Belper who had been the better team for long spells.

Grantham Town: Murray, Purcicoe, Potts, Brindley, Saunders, Watt, Lewis (Melton 79), Ball, Grimes, Saunders (Maddison 85), Carchedi (Whitman 74). Unused subs: Battersby, McGhee.

Belper Town: Richmond, Pride, Weir, Meikle, Wright, O’Hare, Fedorenko (Ortuno 85), Leonard, Froggatt (Simpkins 56), Longstaff, Rushbury. Unused subs: Ellis, Godber, Turner T.

Referee: David Naylor (Sutton in Ashfield)

Att: 139