10-men Ravens take the honours

Nailers boss Peter Duffield kept faith in the same team that beat Romulus 4-1 just three days earlier, with Richard Adams partnering Philip Watt in central defence.

The game took just 11 minutes for the first big decision to be made as Jack McGovern stamped on Simon Harrison after a challenge between the two, which led to McGovern being sent off and leaving Coalville down to ten men.

The opening twenty minutes were relatively low key with Belper enjoying the majority of possession and making use of their man advantage.

However Coalville took the lead on 23rd minute against the run of play.

A corner from the right was taken by Callum Woodward who drove the ball low outside the box to the unmarked Reece Lester, whose first touch set himself up for a wonderful curling effort which flew into the top left corner beyond the reach of goalkeeper Ratcliffe.

The goal then moved the tempo up a notch as the Nailers were chasing the equaliser.

Glyn Cotton had his chance on 32nd minute after a fine solo run by Sam Duncum down the left hand side beat his marker and pulled the low cross back from the by-line towards the Nailers midfielder.

Cotton then took a touch and fired the ball just over the bar from no more than 10 yards from goal.

Anthony Carney took advantage of a momentary lapse by Philip Watt as he stole in to take the ball from the defenders feet and chipped a shot first time from 20 yards which had Ratcliffe scrambling back to his line to see the ball drop just over the bar.

The second half was quite astonishing with arguably the best 45 minutes of pure football by the Nailers this season and possession stats that of the Spanish culture would be proud of, and which led to a flurry of chances for those in yellow.

Coalville earned a rare chance on 58th minute when Danny Jenno struck a free kick from distance on the inside left which had Ratcliffe plunging towards the far post to push away what would have been a tremendous goal by Jenno.

However, it was the Nailers who were on top and the best move of the game forced a great save by Sean Bowles on the 63rd minute.

Substitute Mark Ward held the ball up well and laid if off to Sam Duncum on the left hand side. Duncum then drove at his marker and fizzed a left footed cross in for Jon Froggatt to attack, whose headed effort was tipped away by Bowles.

Jordan Hempenstall could have buried the game with twenty minutes remaining as he found himself clear through on goal after holding his run well to stay onside, however his effort drifted a yard past the right hand post and kept the Nailers hopes alive.

Shaun Tuton then fired wide after a throw from Watt was crossed in by Ward, brought down by Froggatt and laid off for Tuton, whose half volley sailed wide.

Two efforts from Philip Watt were then the latest chances. Firstly, an effort from distance in an attempt to catch the keeper off his line fell a yard over the bar.

Secondly, a Simon Harrison free kick from the right was curled in, headed on by Adams for Philip Watt at the back post whose volley was struck straight at the goalkeeper, who knew little about it.

Final efforts from Warne, Adams and Cotton went begging as Coalville Town held on to record a victory for the second time over Belper this season.

Belper Town: David Ratcliffe, Chris Jones, Liam Davis (Mark Ward 61), Glyn Cotton, Philip Watt, Richard Adams, Simon Harrison (Chris Adam 82), Steve Warne, Jon Froggatt, Shaun Tuton, Sam Duncum. Subs: Joe Conkleton, Andy Rushby, Scot Low.

Coalville Town: Sean Bowles, Alex Dean, Reece Lester, Danny Jenno, Jamie McAteer, Liam Kay, Callum Woodward, Jack McGovern, Jordan Hempenstall (Ben Saunders 84), Anthony Carney, Lee Miveld. Subs: Kevin Charley, Jonathon Kegoum, Liam Crouchman, Sam Deacon.

Referee: Harry Hawkins (Sutton in Ashfield)

Attendance: 182