The game had everything; goals, red cards, bookings and was certainly great value for money even if the 400 plus spectators witnessed a Nailers defeat.

Lee Attenborough named the same side that had done so well at North Ferriby in midweek, with the addition of new signing Rev James who started on the bench.

The visitors made a good start to the game and Luke Carr struck a 5th minute shot over the bar, however Mason Warren responded for the Nailers with a shot just wide at the other end.

Jonathan Hedge was Belper’s hero on 11th minute when he made a vital double save, firstly from Sado Djalo and then immediately afterwards from Dale Pearson.

The afternoon’s first drama came on 17 minutes when Danny South, prostrate on the ground stopped Djalo’s goal bound shot with his hand. It was a reactionary moment from South who received a red card for his efforts and Dale Pearson made no mistake from the penalty spot.

The Nailers had a great chance to equalise on 32 minutes when Kevin Bastos passed the ball back from the bye line and Warren, with time to pick his spot shot straight at the ‘keeper.

There appeared to be valid claims for a penalty and a strong case for a dismissal when Bastos ran through on goal on 34 mins. He looked as though he had the beating of his man but fell under a challenge, however the referee saw nothing wrong with it.

Belper’s endeavours after going down to 10 men were rewarded when Phil Watt scored from close range and put the ball in the far corner well out of reach of Dan Staples.

Within 2 minutes of the restart the Nailers went ahead. Bastos made a strong run to collect a through ball and went on to blast the ball past Staples from 15 yards.

Then it was Dunston’s turn to have a player sent off and it was their captain Michael Pearson who saw red after lunging into Bastos.

The Belper striker was causing Dunston problems and in the 54th minute he raced away again, but this time Staples managed to get his hands to his shot.

Watt was in the right place to lash in his second goal and Belper’s third following a Curtis Burrows free kick on 61 minutes, and the Nailers were now looking favourites to take the points.

To their credit, the visitors quickly recovered their composure and in the 65th minute Luke Carr headed in from an unmarked position to reduce the arrears.

Debutante Rev James nearly made a perfect start to his Belper career when he looked set to score soon after coming on as a substitute but his powerful shot was blocked en route to goal.

It was all square at 3-3 on 77 minutes when David Robinson met a free kick and glanced the ball home at the near post, and now it was just a matter of seeing if the Nailers could see out the game for a draw.

Unfortunately, it was not to be as Luke Martin caught Dale Pearson as he cut inside in the penalty area on 88 mins and the referee had an easy decision to make.

Pearson stepped up to convert the spot kick and despite a resurgence from Belper in added time, the Nailers couldn’t find a way back into the match.

Belper Town: Hedge, Rhodes, Algar, Dunn (Austin 83), South, Watt, Bastos, Burrows, Johnson (James 73), Warren, Cadman (Martin 83). Unused subs: Bessadi, Troke.

Dunston UTS F C: Staples, Baxter, McDonald, Turnbull, Pearson M, Swails, Lamb (Chrisp 70), Robinson, Djalo (Walker 56), Carr (Elliott 74), Pearson D. Unused subs: Galbraith, Camarda.

Referee: Karl Parker

Att: 429