The Brewers might not have included as many first teamers as originally thought but this was a very talented squad of players who proved to be an excellent test for Grant Black’s emerging new side.

The game started with a bang as the Nailers took the lead after barely 55 seconds when Riece Bertram powered a perfectly placed Craig Nelthorpe free kick just inside the near post.

The Brewers nearly hit back soon afterwards when Joe Nyahwema slipped past Nelthorpe but Myles Wright came out swiftly to block the shot.

Ben McLean headed just over the cross bar in the 11th minute, then in a Nailers’ breakaway moments later Alex Peterson fired wide from just outside the penalty area.

Burton fashioned an excellent equaliser in the 16th minute when tricky Charlie Williams sidestepped a couple of challenges to strike the ball into the bottom left corner of the net leaving Myles Wright motionless.

Williams then struck a similar effort into the bottom corner to complete the comeback for the Brewers in the 21st minute.

Nyahwema found Callum Nevin with a pin point cross on 23 minutes but the Brewers striker headed straight at the Belper ‘keeper.

Andre Johnson was a post width away from levelling the scores just before half time after clever footwork inside the visitor’s penalty area gave him a brief sight of goal, however his measured shot appeared to be deflected by Dan Moore on to the foot of the post.

The second period also started well for the Nailers and this time supporters were treated to a beautifully struck shot from Nathan Curtis who had only been on the field for a few seconds. His half volleyed effort from the edge of the penalty area flew past Moore in the Brewers’ goal.

Curtis provided a lovely cross in the 56th minute for Danny South, who had moved into the centre forward slot after the break, but the Belper skipper’s effort went just over.

The Nailers had to defend well as Burton surged forward and it took a Corey Gregory clearance off the line to preserve the status quo.

While Belper defended well against a challenging Brewers’ attack, they also found opportunities to cause the visitors problems at their end of the pitch.

Belper put a number of good crosses into the box and in the 75th minute Sam Wright did really well to create his own shooting chance but directed his effort straight at the ‘keeper.

A goal mouth scramble in the Brewers’ penalty box nearly brought a winner for the Nailers, but the ball just wouldn’t go in for them. Again, as with the Boston United game last week, the Nailers acquitted themselves very well and now face Mickleover Sports in the last pre-season game this coming Saturday.

Belper Town: Wright M, Woodcock, Nelthorpe, Wilson, South, Jordan, Lichfield, Gregory, Peterson, Johnson, Bertram. Subs used: Wright S, Curtis, Sandhu, Conway, Moore, Watts, Horspool. Unused: William, Kozluk.

Burton Albion: Moore, McClean, Borthwick-Jackson, Redfern, Blake-Tracy, Latty-Fairweather, Nyahwema, Taylor, Niven, Power, Williams. Subs: Used: Lewis, McGuinness. Unused: Delap, Radcliffe, Rowe.

Referee: Danny Middleton

Att: 485