Into the Nailers line-up came defender Cameron Stuart, recently signed from Coalville Town, and he lined up alongside Dan White, who was making his first appearance for the club since August.

But leading scorer Jon Froggatt was struck down by illness earlier in the day and could only make up the numbers on the bench whilst his absence gave the versatile Chris Adam a rare chance to partner Mark Ward in the Belper attack.

The omens for another disappointing day presented themselves as early as the 7th minute when Drayton scored from their first decent scoring opportunity.

Josh Green, Drayton’s talented young full back on-loan from Macclesfield Town, crossed the ball into the heart of the Belper where it was met by the head of the unmarked Yannick Maitoto.

Scott Low did remarkably well to turn away the initial header but the ball fell kindly to Drayton skipper, Nick Porter who rifled the ball into the roof of the net from close in.

But, the Nailers responded magnificently and were desperately unlucky not to level the scores after 14 minutes but for an almighty scramble in the Drayton six yard box that left everyone breathless and Belper scoreless.

A total of six efforts were fired towards the home goal with four blocked by desperate defenders, supplemented by two superb reflex saves from Drayton ‘keeper, Damien Stevens.

Mark Ward, Chris Adam, Simon Harrison and Chris Jones all found their way to goal blocked by home defenders whilst Harrison and Jones saw efforts beaten away by the ‘keeper.

William Whieldon should have done better for Drayton when another Bennett cross found him in the clear but his shot was too close to Scott Low and the chance disappeared.

Drayton threatened again when Rob Stevenson was played through the Nailers rearguard but his dangerous low cross from the bye line was cleared magnificently by the covering Sam Duncum.

It wasn’t one way traffic by any means and Belper deserved to restore parity after 28 minutes when Chris Adam surged though the Drayton defence and crossed for Simon Harrison to slip the ball just inside the far post past the advancing Stevens.

The Nailers thought they had taken the lead just moments later when Ward touched the ball into the net from close range but the assistant referee halted the celebrations with a raised flag.

Ironically, the ball was probably on its way into the net before Ward’s connection and would have counted without his intervention.

As play swung from end to end, Drayton spurned another gilt-edged chance when Stevenson showed Chris Jones a clean pair of heels but with only Low to beat, he sent his shot agonisingly wide of the far post.

But it was Belper that made the next breakthrough in the 38th minute, courtesy of a fine free kick from Cameron Stuart that immediately put the Drayton ‘keeper under pressure and his punched clearance fell for Nailers skipper Steve Warne who unleashed an unstoppable volley into the top corner from the edge of the box.

But, if the game had ebbed and flowed in the opening half with scoring opportunities arriving at regular intervals, the second period lacked the same intensity and excitement.

The increasing strength of the wind was making accurate passing more of a challenge with the ball spending disproportionate periods of time either in the air or out of play altogether.

The only goal in the second half arrived after 78 minutes when the Belper defence failed to clear a low cross from Bennett and the ball fell kindly for full back Elliott Ledwards to drive the ball home from 12 yards.

The Nailers piled on the pressure in the final stages, forcing half a dozen corners in quick succession but the Drayton defence held out valiantly to secure a share of the points.

Market Drayton Town: Damien Stevens, Josh Green, Elliott Ledwards, Sean Jones, James Askey, Kyle Blake, Jake Bennett (Delroy Fox 80), Nick Porter, Yannick Maitota, William Whieldon, Rob Stevenson. Other Subs: Sam Westray, Jordan Hall, Tom Gee, Martin Davies.

Belper Town: Scott Low, Chris Jones, Cameron Stuart, Gareth Davies, Shaun Roulston, Dan White, Simon Harrison (Jon Froggatt 85), Steve Warne, Chris Adam, Mark Ward (Kieran Wells 78), Sam Duncum (Colin Marrison 58). Other Subs: Luke Beatson, Dave Ratcliffe.

Referee: Thomas Kirk (Sale)

Att: 81