The purpose of this initial warm up game was to begin the process of gelling a virtually new team, who were still getting to know each other.

The Nailers may have lost this game by a single goal but there were plenty of opportunities in the first half to have made the game secure.

Brodie Litchfield did well to create a shooting opportunity in the 2nd minute, but the Ashby ‘keeper made a superb flying save to deny him.

Ewan Sutherill found himself in space just inside the penalty area and should have put the ball in the net, but credit again to the Ashby stopper who rushed out to block Sutherill’s effort.

Litchfield turned provider on 29 minutes when his well driven cross was inches away from being met by Luke Rawson running in.

Another swift Belper move ended with Keaton August in possession, but he couldn’t get the angle on his shot and the ball went wide.

In between these moments for the Nailers, the hosts provided lively opposition and kept Belper on their toes throughout the game.

Ashby’s Sam Grouse had their first shot on target in the 33rd minute, but the better opportunities were falling to the visitors and Rawson headed just wide before the break.

Manager Lee Attenborough switched things around during the interval, but the new line up was stunned in the 47th minute, when a straight ball from inside the Ashby half found Grouse unmarked, he ran on to finish decisively.

Nat Crofts worked his way into a shooting position and his fiercely struck shot hit the upright and then Jack Thatcher had an effort saved on 62 minutes.

Crofts went close again with a cross shot that fizzed just past the post, although Ashby had enjoyed the better possession during the middle part of the second period.

Rawson and Litchfield were reintroduced with 15 minutes to go and Belper looked more dangerous as the game progressed. Litchfield had an 89th minute volley brilliantly blocked and in the dying moments Jack Broadhead (pictured) had a header saved.

There were plenty of good things in this performance and the more they play together the better they will be.

Belper Town: Dan Moore, Ben Rhodes, Paulo Aguas, Mason Warren, Jack Broadhead, Ioan Evans, Keaton August, Curt Burrows, Luke Rawson, Ewan Sutherill, Brodie Litchfield. Subs (All used) Lewis Austin, Nat Crofts, Andrew Tsolakis, Jack Thatcher, Nathan Whitehead, Harvey Adams (GK).