Lincoln arrived at Christchurch Meadow in 17th place in the league table with awful home results being compensated with a good record away from Ashby Avenue.

Chris Adam had a good run in the 4th minute but Jack Cotton headed away the cross as Jon Froggatt was waiting in space, then Sean Wright wasted a free kick for Lincoln in a dangerous position by lifting his shot high over the cross bar.

Belper were indebted to Aaron Chapman in the 10th minute when Chris Funnell received the ball in plenty of space and the Belper ‘keeper made an important block to prevent the visitors taking the lead.

Chapman was alert once again in the 13th minute when Funnell’s driven shot at the near post needed his intervention to beat the ball away.

Alton Rennalls did well to side step his marker soon afterwards but his shot was a foot over the cross bar from the edge of the area.

Another free kick from Sean Wright taken from the same place as his first went through everyone but fortunately Mark Ward was on the goal line to prevent the ball going in.

Chapman was in action again moments later when he pushed over a dipping volley from Tom Garrick and at this stage Lincoln were showing why they have been more successful on opposition grounds this season.

Belper came close to scoring in the 28th when Chris Adam burst into space and shot straight at the ‘keeper and as the game entered the latter stages of the half, the Nailers began to look more lively up front.

Jon Froggatt headed an Alton Rennalls cross just over the cross bar on 32 minutes, but Belper were nearly undone by a clever ball from Sam Wilkinson and Tom Garrick saw his shot tipped over by Aaron Chapman.

Alton Rennalls struck a great shot towards the far post in the 41st minute and Phil McGann pulled off a fine save, then in the 44th minute Mark Ward ran on to a Jon Froggatt knock on, but chipped the ball over the ‘keeper and wide of the target.

The Nailers finally made the break through in first half added on time when Chris Adam took the ball down the left and crossed for Jon Froggatt to turn the ball in just inside the far post.

Lincoln came out for the second half in determined mood and looked dangerous with the ball at their feet in the final third, but Belper could have extended their lead on 51 minutes when Alton Rennalls and Mark Ward combined to set up Glyn Cotton who bent his volley around the post.

Another great move in the 55th minute ended with Steve Warne firing inches over the bar and moments later more good football from Belper led to Jon Froggatt shooting into the side netting.

The Nailers tried to keep the pressure up while seeking an all important second goal and Jon Froggatt nearly provided it in the 71st minute with a shot on the turn that Phil McGann dived to his left to make a fine save.

However this game still had some way to go and Lincoln were always a threat and in the 77th minute the experienced Brendan McDaid hit the cross bar with a header from a corner kick.

Jon Froggatt did well to get past Craig Leverett in the 86th minute but put his cross too close to the ‘keeper, however the Nailers were finishing the game strongly and a free kick from Glyn Cotton was nudged into Jon Froggatt’s path which he deflected straight at the ‘keeper.

The Nailers professionally saw out the remainder of the game to claim three points against a good Lincoln outfit.

Belper Town: Chapman, Pride, White, Cotton, Colley (Rushbury 29), Simpkins, Rennalls, Warne, Froggatt, Ward (Longstaff 67), Adam (Meikle 83). Unused subs: Turner, Saxby.

Lincoln United: McGann, Fleming, Leverett, Bull (Chambers 81), Cotton, Wright, McGovern, Zuerner, Wilkinson, Garrick, Funnell (McDaid 74). Unused sub: Burns

Referee: Mark Howes (Solihull)

Att: 152

Match Sponsor: Browns Builders Merchants

Man of the Match: Aaron Chapman