Nailers frustrated at Stoke Lane

Mark Ward fires past Carlton 'keeper Curtis McDonald into the bottom corner to put the Nailers ahead (Photo: Tim Harrison)

Nailers manager Peter Duffield was able to name new signing Kieran Wells on the substitutes bench after the striker had signed from Eastwood Town.

Colin Marrison made a return to the team at right wing with Simon Harrison dropping to right back for the unavailable Chris Jones.

The game began with Belper Town retaining the majority of play in their opponents half as chances came early on.

The first opening came for in-form defender Richard Adams on the 7th minute who volleyed a corner well with his right foot but his powerful shot was blocked on the line by Billy Bennett.

Four minutes later, a good interchange between Jon Froggatt and Mark Ward saw the latter played through but his shot from the edge of the area was blocked and cleared for a corner.

Richard Adams had another chance when Liam Davis played a brilliant long ball back into the danger area for Adams to leap above his marker and send a powerful header on target, which was superbly saved by McDonald.

The resulting corner from the right saw Adams once again have a chance, this time his speculative volley dropped over the bar.

The chances kept coming for the Nailers as Mark Ward saw another shot blocked by the Carlton defence and the Millers were hanging on at this satge.

The second half started perfectly for Belper after another dangerous ball into the box from Glyn Cotton saw Richard Adams to head the ball just wide of the right hand post.

The breakthrough finally came on the 51st minute as a loss of concentration by Carlton's defence gave Froggatt a chance to steal in and lay a perfectly weighted ball for Mark Ward to slide into the far right corner beyond the reach of Curtis McDonald.

Ward was nearly at the double when his free kick from the left edge of the penalty area was tipped just over the bar just five minutes later.

However, a stunning piece of individual skill and finishing was on show for Carlton as Sammy MacVicar picked the ball up, turned Philip Watt and teed up a thunderous drive from 30 yards out to hit the back of the net and shell-shock the Nailers into disbelief.

Captain Lee Potts nearly sent the Millers ahead after a left footed effort from the edge was saved well by Ratcliffe, plunging to his right to push the ball away.

Late chances then came for both sides with Alexander Troke trying his luck from range for the hosts, which was again saved well by Ratcliffe.

Substitute Chris Adam nearly won it for the Nailers after Harrison played him through and his shot low to the far post, sailed just wide with the goalkeeper helpless.

Carlton Town: Curtis McDonald, Kallum Keane, Billy Bennett, Alexander Troke, Lee Torr, Martin Ball, Josh Thornton, Daniel Elliot, Sammy MacVicar, Blair Anderson (Ben Flynn 86), Lee Potts (Jordan Vilums 76). Subs: Shyheim Reid.

Belper Town: Dave Ratcliffe, Simon Harrison, Liam Davis, Glyn Cotton, Philip Watt, Richard Adams, Colin Marrison, Steve Warne, Jon Froggatt (Kieran Wells 86), Mark Ward (Shaun Tuton 76), Sam Duncum (Chris Adam 81). Subs: Andy Rushbury, Scott Low.

Referee: Chris Woodall (Sheffield)

Attendance: 121