Ashington would have had plenty of time on their long journey back to the north east to consider how they could have possibly failed to have come away from the Raygar without at least a point.

For a team in the relegation zone, they were equal to the Nailers and in some cases better, but a key to their poor league position lay in the fact when they had chances, which was rare, they couldn’t turn them into goals.

Belper fared little better but probably edged possession in the second half, and it required a spot kick to confirm the points from a game that will soon be forgotten, if it hasn’t already.

Following a good display against Pontefract in midweek, manager Lee Attenborough understandably retained the same starting lineup, but that was where the similarity ended as the Nailers laboured for most of the game.

Archie Small had the Collieries’ first opportunity after 8 minutes and Kieron Preston, after saving at the foot of the post, was glad to have the ball rebound back to him.

Both teams played quick effective football, and it soon became obvious the visitors were not going to be a push over regardless of their league position.

Larell King overlapped in the 16th minute and sent in a cross to the near post that Harry Draper flicked just wide. It wasn’t to be Draper’s day as the ball didn’t run for him all afternoon.

Wilson Kneeshaw, probably the pick of the Ashington team struck a shot in the 18th minute that Preston plucked out of the air comfortably enough, then after a lengthy period of stalemate Draper poked a half chance wide following a 45th minute corner.

Draper had a shot on the turn on 53 minutes however Ross Coombe was untroubled, then Colliers’ striker Josh Gilchrist fired a warning shot just past the post, as the Nailers struggled to gain the upper hand.

The Nailers were handed a golden opportunity to stake a claim on the game on 64 minutes when Draper was fouled deep inside the penalty area, and Curtis Burrows struck a perfect spot kick beyond the reach of Coombe.

It was a tenuous lead to say the least as Ashington made the Nailers work hard to combat the flowing football the Colliers produced.

A few old traits emerged from Belper like giving the ball away and failing to get the second balls, all of which heightened the tension of the majority of the crowd.

Kelan Swales struck an 80th minute shot at the ‘keeper, and as the game entered the final stages, the Nailers begin to play much better. A particularly good move in the 84th minute needed a brave block from Coomb to prevent Swales getting a second for the Nailers.

The Colliers hadn’t given up on getting something from the game though, and deep into added time Gilchrist had a better than average chance to get his side a point but his effort from fifteen yards dipped over the cross bar.

Not a classic then by any means , but the Nailers have taken maximum points from the last four league outings and are well placed to tackle their next two away games at Grimsby Borough and Garforth, both of whom have done extremely well recently.

Belper Town: Preston, King, Aguas, Warren, Broadhead, Evans, Swales (Rhodes 90), Burrows, Draper, Rawson (Whitehead 82), Crofts (August 69). Unused sub: Gregory.

Ashington AFC: Coombe, Wombwell, Small (Ormston 77), Clark (Cartwright 77), Almond, Williams, Kneeshaw, Sampson, Gilchrist, Spooner, Errington (Ndiweni 62). Unused sub: Staples

Referee: Steven Taylor

Att: 471

Man of the Match: Kieran Preston

Match Sponsors: NRB Accountancy