It was a wild night in terms of weather, and against all the odds, and after sterling work by all concerned to get the game on, the contest proved to be an anti climax for supporters who had braved the elements.

Oliver Brown-Hill made his debut at left back following his arrival from Stamford on dual registration, which relieved Mason Warren to play in his favoured midfield role. Declan Dunn served a one game suspension for his dismissal against North Ferriby.

The Nailers made a lively start to the game and might have taken the lead in the 5th minute when a Warren freekick was headed wide of the target by Danny South.

The visitors had shown that they could be dangerous on the break and in the 15th minute they were gifted the opener when Brodie Litchfield fired an attempted clearance past Dan Moore in the Belper goal.

The Nailers tried to put this early setback to the back of their minds and set about trying to get an equaliser. James Cadman’s effort from 22 yards grazed the crossbar, and he went close again on 29 minutes with a shot into the side netting after a good forward run by Brown-Hill.

Mohammed Quasim headed a good opportunity wide for the visitors on 38 minutes, then at the other end Karl Demidh had a shot beaten away moments later.

Kevin Bastos’s shot was well saved by Jamie Hassall then on the stroke of half time Demidh fired straight at the Brighouse ‘keeper.

In the early stages of the second half the Nailers struggled to get going and it wasn’t until the 62nd minute that they had another effort on goal, when Demidh headed a Brown-Hill cross wide.

Brown-Hill nearly crowned a promising debut with a goal on 63 minutes with a penetrating run and shot that Hassall saved well. Hassall was proving to be a key player for Brighouse when he stopped a great effort from Demidh soon afterwards.

In the 68th minute it was Moore’s turn to be a saviour when he stopped three or four quickfire efforts from Brighouse, and the Nailers were grateful not to be further behind.

The Nailers managed to equalise on 74 minutes when Karl Demidh banged the ball home from 10 yards after the ‘keeper had failed to hold the ball properly.

Hassall needed treatment before he could continue and within seconds of the restart Brighouse were back in front when substitute Darius Smith floated an unstoppable effort wide of Moore into the far corner.

In fact, the remaining 15 minutes or so belonged to the visitors and Smith spurned an opportunity to seal the game on 90 minutes but missed the target.

However, Smith made certain moments later when from a similar position he struck the ball firmly past Moore to make it 3-1, and completed what for them was a great night but for the Nailers it was a game to quickly forget.

Belper Town: Moore, Burrows (Walker 69), Brown-Hill, Warren, Atcha, Watt, Cadman, Litchfield (Goodson 66), South, Demidh, Bastos. Unused subs: Gregory, Ghebe, Austin.

Brighouse Town: Hassall, Peters, Webster, Grant, Nebard, Dacre, Bedford, Crook (Drake 60), Quasim, Ceesay (Butterworth 80), Normanton (Smith 62). Unused subs: Allsop, Phillipson.

Referee: Aaron Hallam

Att: 257