It was a welcome first league victory for new manager Lee Attenborough and the end of a good week in general for the Nailers’ boss after coming so close to beating leaders Hyde in midweek.

Attenborough made just one change from the team that took on Hyde with tall striker Jerome Greaves replacing James Tague. The Nailers played some great football in midweek, but this was an entirely different challenge with a physically strong opposition and a stodgy surface.

Consequently it became a slog in which good football was scarce although arguably Sedge had more possession but they came up against a resolute defence that kept them out until the 74th minute.

The Nailers began strongly and took the lead after 10 minutes when Jacob Gratton’s cross from the right found Jerome Greaves who only had Pat Boyes to beat, and he did so decisively to bag his first goal for the club.

Belper’s good start dissipated rapidly and a series of mistakes and loss of possession played into their hosts hands, and the Nailers had to defend in depth to prevent Sedge getting back into the game.

Belper were able to break however and in the 15th minute Gratton nearly set up Greaves with an opportunity, then Gratton forced Boyes into a great save on 19 minutes. Great work from Todd Jordan opened up the way for Gratton to cut inside and bring another save out of the Sedge ‘keeper.

The second half began with Rio Molyneaux using his pace to bear down on the Liversedge goal but his near post shot shot was turned around the upright for a corner kick. The game descended into a scrappy affair and the Nailers lived dangerously on occasions.

Then against the run of play Belper strengthened their hold on the game when Tom Wilson was quickest to react when a 65th minute free kick arrived at the far post where he tucked the ball away after it bounced out invitingly to him. The Nailers couldn’t properly relax as their hosts came at them with force and in the 75th minute Jack Stockdill’s shot from the edge of the area appeared to take a crucial deflection that beat Tom Jackson just inside the post.

A tense conclusion to the game was in prospect and indeed Sedge did all they could to force an equaliser, but the pressure was taken off Belper in the 89th minute, when Molyneux broke away at speed only to be blatantly shoved to the ground just before he pulled the trigger.

Harry Middleton struck home the resultant spot kick to secure all three points for the Nailers who completed their third away win of the season.

Liversedge FC: Boyes, Hardacre (Bardett 75), Smythe, Dean, Ellis, Harris, Walker, Stockdill, Cartman (Stewart 65), Walton (Carr 45), Atkinson. Unused subs: Proctor

Belper Town: Jackson, Rhodes (Avery 75), Algar, Middleton ©, Wilson, Jordan, Molyneaux, Reaney, Greaves, Gratton (Peel-Evans 90), Litchfield (Tague 80) Subs not used: Thomas, Smith-Eccles

Attendance: 291

Referee: Waqar Ahmed