That honour went to Hebburn who did what they needed to do at Sheffield FC and clinched the win that sent their close rivals Stockton to compete in the play offs.

After the morale boosting win at Liversedge barely 34 hours earlier, Lee Attenborough’s men had to summon deep resources to run out and face an opponent who had a whole week to rest and prepare.

The mere fact that Belper were put into this position through no fault of their own, having had only one postponement at home all season for a frost affected pitch in early December, would seem to be an injustice of some sort.

However, the Nailers stood up remarkably well for an hour under the circumstances, but once the Anchors snatched their first goal it was clear that Belper would struggle from then on.

Zak Goodson made way for the returning Kevin Bastos and Ben Rhodes was named on the bench after failing a fitness test, as the Nailers drew on all their strength to face Stockton for whom nothing short of a win would suffice. A large contingent of supporters travelled from the North East and swelled the crowd to 867 – the season’s best, both home and away.

Much of the notable incident in the first half came from the visitors. Cameron Painter forced Dan Moore into a smart save on 8 minutes, then Mason Frizelle was relieved to see the ball rebound off the upright after a cross shaved the top of his head.

Michael Fowler had a better opportunity after he wrestled the ball off Frizelle on 12 minutes, but Moore touched his rising drive over the cross bar. James Cadman cleared the ball off the line following a scramble soon afterwards, while Adam Nicholson’s 29th minute header went straight to Moore.

Belper’s best moment came when some good passing let James Oliver in for a shot on target although it went straight to Nathan Harker. Kevin Hayes hit a shot just wide on the stroke of half time and although the Nailers had competed well, they had created very little in the way of chances.

The Anchors began to dominate the game in the second half and Lewis King’s flick on 53 minutes may have beaten any lesser ‘keeper than Moore. A Nailers breakaway looked promising moments later, but Lewis Austin hit the ball over the target, and Moore was excellent again as Stockton countered and he saved well from Michael Roberts.

Anchors’ skipper Nicholson forced the ball over the line on 60 minutes to send the away support into raptures, but the cheering soon died down when word came through that Hebburn had taken the lead two minutes later at Sheffield.

The opening goal punched a hole in Belper’s flimsy resolve, and it wasn’t long before Roberts got goal side of the Nailers’ defence and banged in number two on 67 minutes.

A rapidly tiring Belper led to a penalty kick after Frizelle committed a foul in the penalty area and Kevin Hayes steered the ball wide of Moore for number three.

A crisp Roberts volley on 78 minutes finished the scoring but by then Stockton had learned of another Hebburn goal and their cheering was muted.

Five defeats in six games ultimately scuppered Belper’s play off hopes after being in contention up the beginning of April, but a sixth-place finish has to represent a satisfactory return for Lee Attenborough who started preseason with just two players.

Work is starting on next season’s squad although at the time of writing it isn’t clear which division the Nailers will be competing in.

Belper Town: Moore, Burrows, Warren, Dunn, Frizelle, Atcha, Cadman (Goodson 64), Austin, Bastos, Litchfield (Sutherill 72), Oliver (Gregory 72). Unused subs: Watt, Rhodes.

Stockton Town: Harker, King, Baggs, Portas (Henry 72), Nicholson, Coulthard, Hayes (McWilliams 71), Painter, Fowler (Sweet 72), Butterworth, Roberts. Unused subs: Beddow, Mulligan.

Referee: Minesh Gupta

Att: 867