With Nathan Whitehead unavailable Ben Rhodes started at right back while Curtis Burrows moved into midfield. Former Nailer Ben Middleton was in the heart of the visitor’s defence.

Kieran Preston, who made his debut in the 2-0 win at North Ferriby made his first home start, while Dan Moore had to be satisfied with a place on the bench.

The Nailers have a dismal record against Cleethorpes having only once in ten outings and having shipped thirty-one goals.

The Owls made a strong start, and it was soon clear the Nailers would have a tough game on their hands. Preston showed his worth early in the game when he saved at full stretch from Bradley Abbott.

The visitors went in front after only ten minutes when Joshua Walker tucked the ball home at the far post following a diagonal cross from the right.

Preston punched away a rasping drive from Brody Robertson in the 13th minute, and at this stage the Nailers looked to be in for a very tough evening indeed.

Then after 25 minutes the Owls struck again when Adam Haw put his team further ahead with a glancing header just inside the far post.

Belper seemed to settle after this and had more possession in the visitor’s half as a result. On 29 minutes there was a goal mouth scramble in the Owls six-yard area, and they were relieved to get the ball away, then Luke Rawson had a good chance on 35 minutes, but his headed attempt bounced over the cross bar.

Nailers’ skipper Jack Broadhead had a better opportunity just before half time but put his header straight at Heath Richardson.

Buoyed by a promising end to the first half, the Nailers started the second period brightly enough, but they could have slipped further behind on 54 minutes, however they were relieved to see Haw’s shot hit the cross bar.

Harry Draper had a sight of goal on 63 minutes but failed to connect with the ball properly, and while Belper were fighting on equal terms with Cleethorpes, the ball just wouldn’t go into the net.

A fantastic effort from Draper from about thirty-five yards was brilliantly saved by Richardson, and Nathaniel Crofts couldn’t get on top of the rebound and headed wide.

Belper matched the Owls for more than an hour of the game but had unfortunately had already conceded twice, which gave them a mountain to climb against very capable opposition.

Belper Town: Preston, Rhodes (Litchfield 55), Aguas, Austin, Broadhead, Evans, Burrows, Warren, Draper, Crofts, Rawson (August 73). Unused subs: Gregory, Tsolakis, Moore.

Cleethorpes Town: Richardson, Gallimore, Smith, Vann, Middleton, Foster, Bateson (Flett 85), Abbott (Prunty 85), Haw (Adelakan 68), Walker (Annan 90), Robertson (Chikukwa 61).

Referee: Mihul Karia

Att: 468

Match Sponsor: J C Balls

Man of the Match: Kieran Preston