It was a relieved Lee Attenborough who saw his side successfully negotiate a home victory without letting the game slip away, as has been the case in recent games at the Raygar.

The match was played in searing heat throughout and was a testament to the players fitness that they kept up a high tempo right until the end.

Curtis Burrows was suspended following his dismissal against Pontefract last week, while Danny South returned to the side and there was a starting berth for Alex Troke.

Newcastle lay just below mid table in the NPL Division One West and used to be regular opponents in the last few seasons until geographical changes took place a couple of seasons ago.

The Nailers were largely in control for the first half although possession was more even after the break, but Belper had far and away enough chances to have given the tie a more convincing score line.

Cameron Johnson got things going with a shot straight at Joseph Slinn in the 7th minute then 2 minutes later had a better opportunity when the ball bounced over the defender leaving Johnson with a clear shot that he volleyed wide.

Revarnelle James put Belper in front in the 12th minute with a superb curling shot from the corner of the penalty area that crept into the far corner.

Kevin Bastos went on a trademark run on 17 minutes and provided a perfect cross into the six-yard area with no yellow shirt there to take advantage.

Danny South sent a 34th minute header wide of the target then set up the ball for Troke who couldn’t make proper contact.

The Nailers tightened their grip on the tie when Bastos split the Newcastle defence with an accurate pass and Johnson ran on to provide the perfect finish past Slinn.

Joe Berks provided the visitors’ first shot on target on 50 minutes, but Jonathan Hedge saved comfortably.

Bastos’ great run down the left side culminated in a tantalising cross to Troke, however the Belper striker was at full stretch and sent the ball within the ‘keepers reach.

Newcastle’s new centre forward Dan Cockerline thought he was going to reduce the arrears, but South intercepted with a perfectly timed tackle to save the day.

Bastos intercepted the ball on 74 minutes and stung Slinn’s palms with a rasping shot to the near post, and from the resulting corner, South saw his header cleared off the line.

Bastos tested Slinn again on 73 minutes with another drive and as the game entered added time the Nailers missed two more great opportunities.

Recently introduced James Cadman found himself with only Slinn to beat and snatched at his shot and put it wide of the near post, then James was in a similar situation although more central, and he had the ball taken off him as he tried to go past Slinn.

The Nailers will now face Walsall Wood in the 2nd qualifying round who comfortably beat Hednesford by 3 – 0. The tie takes place at the Raygar on Saturday September 23rd.

Belper Town: Hedge, Rhodes, Algar (Mackie 82), Dunn, South, Watt, James, Warren, Troke, Johnson (Cadman 85), Bastos (Bessadi 88). Unused subs: Gregory, Austin, Rabone.

Newcastle Town: Slinn, Lake, Ritchie, Van Der Laan T, Jordan, Stubbs, Thompson, Derbyshire (Van Der Laan J 45), Cockerline, Berks (Mazurkiewich 75), Edwards (Holdham 60). Unused subs: Harrison, Hurst, Speed, Louis Holden.

Referee: Arran Williams

Att: 398