PHOTO | Brodie Litchfield rolls home the only goal of the game (Pic: Mike Smith)

In terms of possession, the Nailers were a clear second best but despite dominating most of the play, the Robins hardly ever came close to scoring.

With Luke Mangham and Josh Woodcock unavailable the Nailers were still able to field a strong side but such is the strength of the Robins, Belper spent much of the game in their own half.

Ross Durrant, back on his own stomping ground was soon in action in the 7th minute as he came out quickly to snuff out the danger posed by Chris O’Grady who was chasing a pass through the Belper defence.

The Nailers improved for a short spell and were given the opportunity for a free shot on goal from the edge of the penalty area but Harry Middleton struck the ball just over the crossbar.

The Robins were awarded a similar opportunity on 21 minutes when they were awarded a free kick just outside the box, however the Belper defensive wall did its job by blocking Kieran Fenton’s shot.

Durrant was called into action on 26 minutes when he got down to Montel Gibson’s angled drive and just before half-time the Nailers created a good opportunity after some great work from Brodie Litchfield. His cross to the far post was misjudged by Ben Rhodes despite being unmarked.

The Nailers stunned their hosts by taking the lead on 49 minutes.

After winning the ball back in midfield, Litchfield was well placed to take it forward, side stepping Deeney and rolling the ball into the empty net.

The effect of the goal was akin to stirring a hornet's nest and Ilkeston set about Belper straight from the restart, but despite pinging the ball impressively all over the pitch, they couldn’t create anything inside the penalty area.

A lengthy delay while the referee dealt with an unhappy Robins’ manager Martin Carruthers, regarding substitutions, probably undermined the home team’s efforts in the long run.

The Nailers defended stoically for the remainder of the half with sporadic forays into the Ilkeston penalty area, and from one of these, Danny South shot straight at the ‘keeper on 71 minutes.

The Nailers also had a good shout for penalty when Litchfield was bundled over in the box, but the referee wasn’t interested.

In the end, the Nailers will be very pleased with this victory on a ground where they haven't always had the best of fortune.

Ilkeston Town: Deeney, Thomas K, Brown-Hill, Troke, Bradley, Fenton, Thomas J, Bird, O’Grady, Gibson, Wakefield. Subs: Campbell, Goodson, Hilton, Bukowski.

Belper Town: Durrant (Culverwell 72), Rhodes (Barrass 77), Lobley, Middleton B (Morris 77) South, Jordan, Middleton H (Dixon 67), Wilson, Gibson, Litchfield (Trialist 72), Hinsley (Robson 57).

Referee: Reece Davies