There were five players in the Wrens’ squad that had spent some part of their careers at Christchurch Meadow including Steve Kennedy, Joe Carter, Danny Simpson, Rob Paling, Danny Simpson and the recently departed Tommy Hannigan and a sixth, Mark Camm was a spectator as part of the agreement surrounding his recent move to Kirklington Road.

Dan White was included in the Belper side after his signing last week and he was selected at left back while Damien Magee, shortly to be suspended for two games, was named as a substitute.

The Wrens had only picked up two league points since their defeat at Belper six weeks ago and with Belper’s record little better, they no doubt saw this game as a potential 3 pointer.

They might have gone ahead in the 3rd minute when Lee Cooksey received a quickly taken free kick but his angled rising shot was always going well over the cross bar.

A hard bouncy pitch hampered both teams and chances were at a premium in the early stages.

Jon Froggatt tried an effort from well outside the penalty area in the 6th minute, then Scott Ellis did well to find Lee Morris with a cross from the right, but Morris couldn’t connect properly with his attempted volley.

The Nailers took the lead in the 13th minute from the penalty spot after Steve Kennedy tripped Lee Morris who would surely have scored from 8 yards out, and although there seemed little intent from the Wrens defender, the referee had to adhere to the letter of the law, and Kennedy had to go.

Jon Froggatt (pictured) took the spot kick and Joe McCormack saved it but the referee’s assistant flagged immediately to indicate that the ‘keeper had come off his line, and the referee concurred.

Therefore Froggatt had the opportunity to make certain and this time he fired his effort high into the corner of the net.

Belper should have extended their lead two minutes later when Lee Morris had space to run towards goal and had Scott Ellis totally unmarked on the right, but he chose to shoot from 22 yards and it was a tame effort straight at the ‘keeper.

Rainworth belied the fact they had reduced numbers and worked harder to make up the shortfall.

The Nailers were relieved to see Sean Cann’s cross elude everyone in the penalty area on 21 minutes, but Froggatt was inches away from getting a second goal when he slid in on an Aaron Pride cross, but the ball hit the upright.

Rainworth had their best chance just before half time when Tommy Hannigan’s perfectly flighted free kick dropped for Craig Mitchell who hit it first time, but over the cross bar.

The second half began with Rainworth pressing the Nailers back and there were half chances at either end in the first ten minutes or so, although Lee Morris had the best of them when he latched on to a loose ball and hit a disappointing effort straight at McCormack.

The Wrens had long spell of possession midway through the second period but couldn’t do a lot with it although Danny Simpson hit a reasonable chance over the top in the 56th minute.

The Nailers gradually began to make their numerical advantage count and Steve Warne looked set to score in the 60th minute but the ‘keeper beat away his close range effort.

Jon Froggatt nearly capitalised on a defensive lapse soon afterwards but despite having a clear sight of goal, he put his shot straight at the ‘keeper, and he was very unfortunate moments later when McCormack failed to hold a high ball and his goal bound volley was headed off the line by Lee Briggs.

Ben Spargo nearly sneaked a header in off a Dan White cross on 73 minutes, but once again the Wrens ‘keeper was vigilant, however the Nailers finally sealed the points in the 89th minute when Jon Froggatt ran the ball into the penalty area and then along the six yard past two defenders, before dodging Ben Spargo and sliding the ball home into the unguarded net.

Rainworth Miners Welfare: McCormack, Fearon (Gee-Pemberton 74), Briggs, Kennedy, Timmons, Hannigan, Causey (Hanson 68), Clarke, Mitchell, Cann (Simpson 35), Bacon. Unused subs: Paling, Carter.

Belper Town: Richmond, Pride, White, Warne, Adams, O’Hare, Ellis, Marrison (Chambers 81), Froggatt, Morris (Spargo 61), Rushbury (Magee 73). Unused subs: Graham, Turner.

Referee: Ian Smedley (Derby)

Att: 165

Nigel Oldrini