Fielding their strongest side so far in this pre-season campaign, the Nailers were still three players missing with Ben Rhodes and Jack Broadhead unavailable and Jude Ayetine still recovering from injury.

Regardless of the absentees the Nailers put in their best performance so far and played some great football particularly in the first half in which they were dominant.

Belper soon registered their first attempt when Jack Edwards volleyed a Louis Keenan free kick wide of the far post.

The Nailers’ first goal arrived in the 12th minute when Tav Kuleya received the ball just outside the six-yard area and jinked his way past two defenders before drilling the ball home.

Jonathan Wafula sent a glancing header just wide on the 30-minute mark, and then a mazy run from Kuleya ended with his shot being blocked.

Somehow the ball stayed out of the Kidsgrove goal on 42 minutes when an almighty scramble saw it go for a corner kick.

The Nailers received a let off in the 43rd minute when Nat Morley found himself completely on his own, but he squandered a great opportunity by volleying the ball over the top.

A minute later and the Nailers were two up when Tristan Thompson- Matthews met a cross from the right and scored with a thumping header.

The visitors looked a different proposition after the break and kept the Nailers busy defensively for the first twenty minutes or so.

However, Belper increased their grip on the game when Harry Draper scored his first goal of pre-season with a smart swivel and low shot past the ’keeper.

Draper was back on target in the 72nd minute when he latched on to a loose ball to step around the ‘keeper to get his second and Belper’s fourth.

Kidsgrove reduced the arrears when a triallist tucked the ball under Preston after a nod on from Matt Rhead.

Belper came close on a couple of other occasions without getting a fifth goal, but after three consecutive pre-season wins, the Nailers look in good shape for the start of the season proper.

Belper Town: Preston, Mansell, Eccleshall, Fankwe (Austin 72), Keenan, Evans, Edwards, Wafula (Burrows 72), Draper (Wilsenach 87), Thompson-Matthews (Rogers 72), Kuleya (Gratton 72).

Kidsgrove Athletic (starting) Woolwich, Fielding, Hardman, Newell, Jepson, Davis, Leather, Ford, Duffus, Brereton, Morley. Sibs: Triallist 1,2,3,4,5)

Referee: Harry Jones

Attendance: 308