The opening exchanges were fairly evenly matched, with both sides showing flashes of creativity but no clear-cut chances presented themselves. The hosts started brightly as Tom Algar took a speculative shot on goal inside the first 30 seconds, but it did not trouble Jonathan Hedge. At the other end, Belper’s Kevin Bastos showed early signs of promise with some decent footwork, but his cross was not met by a white shirt.

Despite the even start, it was the visitors who struck first. Mason Warren, who would prove to be a thorn in Bridlington’s side all afternoon, floated a free kick onto the penalty spot. The initial contact was won by Danny South and Belper captain Phil Watt was first to the loose ball; using his left boot to guide it over the reach of the Bridlington number 1 James Hitchcock and into the back of the net.

After the goal, the Nailers started to assert their dominance on the game and soon had the chance to make it two. Again, Phil Watt was first to a Warren delivery, this time from a corner, but the veteran centre-half fired his header well over the crossbar.

Belper kept their foot on the gas however, and it wasn’t long before the pressure counted. Declan Dunn was fouled after winning the ball high up the pitch, and the resulting free kick was deflected wide for a corner. Warren’s outswinger towards the back post led to a scrummage that would not have been out of place on the adjacent rugby ground. After some strong battling from South, the ball worked its way out to Revarnelle James, who slotted it into the net, despite the best efforts of the Bridlington defender.

It looked like the Nailers would go into half time comfortably two goals to the good, but the hosts had other ideas. The deficit was cut in half shortly before half time, as a long ball forward found Lewis Dennison on the right-hand side of the penalty area, who finished smartly into the bottom-left corner, leaving Hedge with no chance.

Bridlington continued to apply pressure on the Belper goal up until half time. However, they created no more than a couple of half-chances, and the sides went into the break at 1-2.

The second half initially started worryingly for Belper as club stalwart Danny South, despite valiant attempts to play on, had to be substituted due to injury. However, the Nailers went on to dominate the rest of the game in some style. The third goal is one the hosts will want to forget. ‘Keeper James Hitchcock played a routine ball out to right-back Ellis Barkworth, but his pocket was easily picked by Revarnelle James. The Belper man wasted no time crossing the ball into the six-yard box, where Kevin Bastos had the freedom of the East Riding to bring the ball under his spell and slot it into the bottom-right corner.

Five minutes later, Bastos was at it again. Another Mason Warren corner proved too good for the hosts’ defence and found an unmarked Kevin Bastos at the back post. The top goal-scorer in the league made no mistake and rifled the ball home for his tenth goal of the campaign so far, much to the delight of the jubilant Belper faithful.

And Bastos nearly completed his hat-trick on the hour mark. Declan Dunn stroked a through ball into his path as he bore down on goal, but the quick thinking of James Hitchcock, who was quick off his line to scoop the ball up, prevented the Belper forward from claiming the match ball.

Lee Attenborough’s men didn’t let off and kept the ball in the Bridlington half consistently but without any drama, until another out swinging corner from Warren proved an effective route to goal yet again. This time, it was the versatile defender Ben Rhodes who found himself unmarked at the back post. His shot was saved by Hitchcock, but the ball rolled along the line and Revarnelle James made sure the goal was in no doubt by cushioning the ball into the net with his right foot.

Belper kept control of the rest of the game with ease. Michael Robinson’s final whistle brought to an end a fantastic performance by the Nailers, and a brilliant afternoon by the seaside for the buoyant travelling supporters.

Bridlington Town: Hitchcock, Barkworth, Walters, Davidson, Williamson, Bulless, Aydenir (Southcoat 62), Algar T (Stockhill 80), Dennison, Martindale (Rogerson 66), Sani. Unused subs: Broadley, Wain.

Belper Town: Hedge, Rhodes, Algar B (Mackie 46), Dunn, South, (Bessadi 51), Watt, James, Warren, Troke (Gregory 83), Cadman, Bastos. Unused subs: Johnson, Rabone.

Referee: Michael Robinson

Att: 248