Belper maintain promotion push at Bedworth

Jon Froggatt challenges the Bedworth 'keeper as the Nailers apply early pressure on the home goal (Photo: Nuneaton News)

It was a difficult affair for Belper who had to dig deep on their route to victory, scoring three times and keeping up the momentum on their play-off push.

Manager Peter Duffield named the same side once again, proving continuity is the key to success.

Neither side was able to get a grip on the game in the early period.

However, it was the Nailers who took the lead with the game’s first meaningful shot on goal on the 22nd minute.

Bedworth proved to be the architects of their own downfall, with a goal kick by James Wren being cut out by Gareth Davies. Davies’s connection then led to Jon Froggatt latching onto the through ball and leaving the defence flat footed and slotting away his shot just inside left hand post and beyond the reach of the goalkeeper.

There was another scare for the hosts when Aaron Cole flighted a corner to the far post and Colin Marrison arrived unmarked to power a header over from four yards.

But Bedworth responded well, creating a couple of half chances in the following ten minutes.

Danny Dubidat cut inside from the left hand side twenty yards from goal, but could only drag his shot wide of the near left post after 27 minutes.

Dubidat then had another opportunity, this time coming in from the right hand side and driving a right footed shot which was blocked well by Phil Watt.

Then, direct from the following corner, Mitchell Thompson swung the ball in towards the penalty spot where Mark Albrighton was on hand to chest, control and shoot, however he could only scuff his shot into the palms of goalkeeper, Scott Low.

The second half began in the same vein as the first half, with few openings coming from either side and the game being played in a scrappy style.

Importantly, it was the Nailers who got the second decisive goal of the game through captain, Steve Warne.

Substitute Simon Harrison played the ball down the line for the overlapping Chris Jones who took his man on and did well to stay on his feet despite a foul by the fullback.

Jones then took the ball to the by-line and curled the cross back in towards the edge of the area, where Steve Warne ghosted in to hammer the ball home into the far left corner and seal the game's prize moment in the 73rd minute.

Three minutes later the Nailers added a third to put the game beyond doubt and this time it was Colin Marrison getting his name on the score sheet.

Simon Harrison delivered a perfectly weighted free kick from the right hand side, which curled in towards the far post where Colin Marrison arrived, stretching every muscle in his body to make contact with the ball, smashing it against the underside of the bar and into the back of the net.

Bedworth did earn a late consolation, however it was too little too late to attempt any form of a comeback.

Substitute, Anthony Bevas collected the ball on the left hand side and drove in a low right footed cross which fizzed towards the six yard box where Chris Jones unfortunately sliced the ball into his own net in rather unfortunate circumstances, given how well Belper Town had defended throughout the game.

Bedworth United: James Hogarth-Wren, Chris Jullin, Luke Rowe, Andrew Westwood (Anthony Bevas 67), Mark Albrighton, Ben Thackgray (Chad Degville-Cross 64), Mitchell Thompson, Ben Steane, Daniel Dubidat, Alando Lewis, Kurtis Mewies. Subs: Marlon Walters, Mark Branch, Blake Thompson.

Belper Town: Scott Low, Chris Jones, James Cullingworth, Gareth Davies, Phil Watt, Dan White (Liam Davis 86), Aaron Cole (Simon Harrison 72), Steve Warne, Jon Froggatt, Kieran Wells (Mark Ward 72), Colin Marrison. Subs: Sam Duncum, Dave Ratcliffe.

Referee: John Roskelly (Pershore)

Attendance: 230