After more defensive injuries at the weekend, the Nailers were forced to shuffle the pack once again, with Shaun Roulston partnering Chris Jones at the heart of the defence. Joe Conkleton came in at left back, with Lee Thompson switching sides to right back.

And it was the Nailers who got the game off to a flying start with early pressure on the Millers backline.

A corner from the left just four minute in saw Sam Duncum swing in the cross for Shaun Roulston, who’s headed effort crashed against the crossbar and was cleared to safety.

The hosts then continued to create glimpses towards goal, with Jon Froggatt firing just over the bar from range.

The 28 minute mark saw the game’s largest controversy, when the ball dropped in Carlton’s area towards the Millers defender whose control looked suspiciously like handball as he cleared the danger, but the referee waved the appeals away.

Both sides then played out the remaining first half with neat football and good intention.

The second half produced the best of the action, mostly on Belper’s part as Lee Thompson looked to catch the Carlton keeper off guard with a half volley from distance which had Kearney scrambling towards his line to punch the ball over the bar.

A nice touch and turn by Froggatt on the edge of the box opened up a chance to get a snap shot away, which bent just wide of the left hand post.

But it was Carlton who produced the all-important moment which would go on to win the game for them, when Alex Troke scored a wonder goal from a free kick on the 52nd minute.

The set piece was 30 yards left central of the goal, and Troke lined his shot up to fire what was a tremendous free kick into the top right hand corner which gave Ratcliffe no chance, and sent the Millers in front, against the run of play.

The Nailers reaction was first class and the next twenty minutes saw Belper’s best spell in the game.

After witnessing a goal of the season contender by Troke, the Millers goalkeeper then pulled off a save of the season contender on the 67th minute.

A corner from the left was played in by Simon Harrison and cleared to the edge of the box by the defender, for Glyn Cotton to smash a first time volley on target which bought the very best out of Kearney, who sprung to his right to beat away what would have been a stupendous equaliser for Belper.

The resulting corner then saw another save made, this time from a Chris Jones header which was scooped off the line by Kearney and another Nailers Chance went begging.

Belper couldn’t find any luck, and when Simon Harrison saw his speculative half volley from range hit the top of the crossbar, the feeling in stadium was that of anguish and frustration as the Nailers had done everything they possibly could to find a goal, which wouldn’t come.

To Carlton’s credit, they saw out the final ten minutes of the game with possession inside Belper’s half, to ensure they would bring the Nailers unbeaten run, to a frustrating end.

Belper Town: David Ratcliffe, Lee Thompson, Joe Conkleton (Mark Ward 76), Glyn Cotton, Shaun Roulston, Chris Jones, Colin Marrison (Simon Harrison 36), Steve Warne, Jon Froggatt, Shaun Tuton (Jamie Jackson 79), Sam Duncum. Subs: Andy Rushbury, Scot Low.

Carlton Town: Martin Kearney, Blair Anderson (Billy Bennett 78), Daniel Fletcher, Alex Troke, Lee Torr, Martin Ball, John Thornton, Daniel Elliot, Sammy McVicar, Luke Smithson (Ben Flynn 71), Lee Potts. Subs: Grant Brindley, Jordan Vilums, Reiss Neil.

Attendance: 161

Referee: Dean Bradshaw (Sheffield)