Honours even at Harrison Park

Manager Peter Duffield named an unchanged side from the team who drew with Sutton Coldfield three days earlier, as Chris Jones had recovered from a head injury and Shaun Roulston partnered Richard Adams in central defence.

The Blues began the game on top, looking good in possession and taking the game to Belper.

A fine free kick from Sam Hall twenty five yards from goal was equalled by Scott Low who pushed the ball away for a corner after six minutes.

A second good chance came for Leek as John Johnston provided a low ball across the box which was stabbed wide by the boot of Mitch Husbands.

The Blues were then awarded a penalty after 32 minutes when Steve Warne was alleged to have handled the ball in the area.

Dan Shelley stepped up and sent Scott Low the wrong way, however sending the ball the wrong side of the left hand post.

However, five minutes later, Leek got their goal. A fine cross field pass by Sam Hall was well controlled by the tricky John Johnston in the area, whose quick feet evaded the challenge of Thompson and his resulting shot rifled into the top corner.

The second half saw a completely different Belper team as they came out the blocks faster and sharper.

Leek were pushed back and struggled to retain possession as the Nailers pushed hard for an equaliser.

Their reward came on 53 minutes after a fine move down the left with good work from Shaun Tuton who found the ball on the by-line and laid it back for Lee Thompson to deliver and inch perfect cross for Jon Froggatt, who steered his header into the net.

The game was then on a knife edge for the remaining half hour which saw the Nailers finish the stronger team.

The two Nailers full-backs were playing with the freedom to push on an extra 15 yards further up the field which helped the two wide midfielders tuck inside and link up with the front men.

This presented a high pressing game played by Belper as they consistently won back possession in the Leek half.

Despite the Nailers strong second-half performance, they struggled to carve out a clear cut chance to potentially win the game as the Leek Town central defenders stood firm.

The game had a stoppage in play when half time substitute Aaron Pride came off worse in a reckless tackle from Dan Shelley and Pride had to receive intense treatment on the field before being carried off.

The game ended with both teams feeling they could have created more to win the game, but both sets of players will probably have been pleased with their performance after a high intensity encounter.

Leek Town: Ben Chapman, Danny Smith, Matt Bell, Paul Donnely, Andy Bratt, Sam Hall, Ant Danylyk, Dan Shelly, Mitch Husbands (Andy Kinsey 70), Jordan Johnson (Steve Brannan 83), John Johnston. Subs: Niall Maguire, Joe Evans, Kieron Wain.

Belper Town: Scott Low, Chris Jones (Aaron Pride 45 (Sam Duncum 83)), Lee Thompson, Glyn Cotton, Richard Adams, Shaun Roulston, Colin Marrison, Steve Warne, Jon Froggatt, Shaun Tuton (Jamie Jackson 75), Chris Adam. Subs: Mark Ward, Dave Ratcliffe.

Referee: Richard Watson (Cannock)

Attendance: 161