Manager Peter Duffield made only one change to the team after Cameron Stuart’s departure from the club, meaning a starting place for Aaron Pride at right back, with Chris Jones switching flanks to
left back.

Belper began the brighter of the two teams in the opening five minutes with early chances for Phil Watt and Chris Adam inside the opposing area.

But it was the Scholars who took the lead after a period of pressure on the 14th minute with a sweet strike from Danny Bragoli.

Ramone Stephens collected the ball on the left hand side and cut in to beat three defenders square on the edge of the box. His pass then set up Bragoli whose first attempt at a shot was blocked by Dan White, only to come back to Bragoli who guided the ball into the far left corner, beyond the reach of ‘keeper Dave Ratcliffe.

Chasetown got a second ten minutes later with a rather fortuitous deflection. Stephens again created the opening with the ball on the left hand side. He then played the ball inside for Lee Butler who teed the shot up well, however his right footed drive took a huge deflection off Simon Harrison to loop the ball over the goalkeeper and dip into the net.

The immediate response from Belper was perfect as a goal just one minute later brought them right back into the game.

Chris Jones and Aaron Pride had switched flanks at fullback, and Chris Jones, now on the right, collected the ball and looked to cross it into the area, although his cross-come-shot sailed over the Ryan Price, who complained that the low setting sun had impaired his vision.

It was then important for Belper to maintain the pressure on the Scholars backline, however Chasetown were proving to be a tough outfit and were difficult to play around, as the Nailers were to discover to their cost.

There was a chance for Simon Harrison on the 32nd minute after Colin Marrison whipped the ball in from the right, and whilst Harrison got up well, his headed effort sailed two yards over the top.

The second half was all important for both sides, as it was clear that the next goal would likely to be decisive.

That goal came for Chasetown on the 54th minute after a neat move down the left hand side.

Joe Halsall cut inside from the left and slipped a tremendous ball in for Nick Wellecomme, whose movement was excellent to take him away from Phil Watt.

Wellecomme then let the ball run across his body and coolly chipped the ball over Ratcliffe, who had come off his line to spread himself.

Substitute Kieran Wells then looked the pep up the Nailers attack, and when Steve Warne played him through on the 70th minute, Wells looked to be clipped from behind, although in going down, managed to get the shot away which was saved well by the ‘keeper, but no penalty decision left the Belper players furious.

The game was then put beyond all doubt on the 82nd minute when the industrious Paul Sullivan picked up a loose ball in the box, after it had been crossed in initially from the left, to poke the ball home and ensure that the Scholars underlined their successful visit to Christchurch Meadow.

Belper Town: Dave Ratcliffe, Aaron Pride (Sam Duncum 60), Chris Jones, Colin Marrison, Phil Watt, Dan White, Simon Harrison (Gareth Davies 83), Steve Warne, Jon Froggatt (Kieran Wells 50), Mark Ward, Chris Adam. Subs: Luke Beatson, Shaun Roulston.

Chasetown: Ryan Price, Chris Slater, Grant Beckett, Joe Halsall (Dean Bennett 85), Tesfa Robinson, Richard Teesdale, Lee Butler, Danny Bragoli, Nick Wellecomme, Paul Sullivan, Ramone Stephens (Jonathon Gould 75). Subs: Jack Farmer, Dan Watson, Louis Keenan.

Referee: Paul Vardy (Sheffield)

Attendance: 266