Manager Peter Duffield was forced to make a late change with Simon Harrison carrying an injury, meaning Chris Adam went to the right of midfield, Chris Jones switched to left back and Sam Purcicoe made his first start for the Nailers on the right of defence.

The first chance of the game fell for the Nailers on the 4th minute after a corner from the left by Sam Duncum was spilled by Lincoln ‘keeper Craig Turner and fell for Mark Ward on the left of the six yard box, but his strike flew two yards over the bar.

Two minutes later, Lincoln then had a great opportunity to take the lead when a corner from the right was swung in towards the back post and Tom Batchelor headed wide from three yards in an unmarked position.

Belper then suffered their first blow of the game when Lincoln took the lead against the run of play in the 9th minute.

A Nailers free kick in a dangerous area was defended well and cleared to Matt Langham on the right hand side who powered towards the Nailers penalty area.

Langham fired the ball across goal to the unmarked Alex Simmons on the edge of box who took his touch and drilled the ball sweetly into the top right corner, giving Dave Ratcliffe no chance.

The Nailers did their best to respond and produced two fine moves which put Lincoln on the back foot.

First, Chris Adams latched onto a fine through ball from the Nailers midfield but with only Turner to beat, he saw his shot blocked by the Lincoln ‘keeper and the chance was lost.

Neat football in the middle of the field between Gareth Davies and Steve Warne set up Chris Adam who fizzed the ball across goal and only for a timely interception from Batchelor denied Jon Froggatt a chance for a tap in at the back post.

Two goals in the space of 120 seconds for Lincoln United all but put the game beyond the reach of the Nailers before half time.

A 36th minute corner was whipped in and a point blank header by Batchelor was aimed straight at ‘keeper Ratcliffe, only for the follow-up shot by Stuart Reddington from close range to hit the back of the net.

The next attack of the game was then the major sucker punch. Nathan Modest struck a sweet free kick from 20 yards in a central position, which fumbled by Ratcliffe for Alex Simmons to tap in two yards from goal.

The second half saw an improvement by the Nailers as they maintained a degree of pressure on their opponents.

They got their goal back on the 64th minute when Sean Wright was caught napping in possession and Mark Ward stole in to take a clear run on goal and place the ball well to the ‘keepers left and sparked Belper’s revival hopes.

Belper then had three efforts on goal over the next 15 minutes which all went begging.

The first for Purcicoe who received the ball 35 yards from goal and his speculative effort rose three yards over the bar.

Substitute Kieran Wells then had a glorious opportunity to put Belper back into the game after a cross came in from the left and Jon Froggatt brought it down for Wells who stabbed the ball wide of the right hand post from 7 yards.

Jon Froggatt then had an opportunity when he brought the ball down well inside the area and his shot was fired low but saved comfortably by Turner.

The game was then put beyond all doubt when the Nailers were caught on the counter attack and Bruno Holden was at hand to place the ball home from five yards on the 90th minute.

Lincoln United: Craig Turner, Sean Wright, Ben Brown, Stuart Reddington, Tom Batchelor, Andy Toyne, Nathan Modest (Josh Bowden 84), Danny Brookes, Matt Langham, Bruno Holden, Alex Simmons (William Drury 90). Subs: Matt O’Halloran, Sam Wilkinson, Ian Wilkins.

Belper Town: David Ratcliffe, Sam Purcicoe, Chris Jones, Gareth Davies, Luke Beatson, Richard Adams (Colin Marrison 57), Chris Adam, Steve Warne, Jon Froggatt, Mark Ward, Sam Duncum (Kieran Wells 60). Subs: Liam Davis, Shaun Roulston, Scott Low.

Referee: Declan Bourne (Nottingham)

Attendance: 141