A fourth win in the last five games propelled the Nailers into contention after briefly slipping out of the play off zone earlier in the month.

Only goal difference prevented the Nailers finishing in third place which would have seen Steels at the Raygar Stadium instead of at Bracken Moor, but while the Nailers know that it is a tough assignment they go into the game high in confidence.

Consistency has been the key in the last few games with very few changes in personnel, and Lee Attenborough has had the luxury of naming sides with very few changes being required.

So it was with just one change with Harry Wood coming in for Jonathan Wafula, that Belper faced a Bridlington team who had won five of their previous six games, and although a tough game was expected, the Nailers made certain of a play off place with a professional performance.

After a quiet opening 10 minutes the Seasiders’ Tom Allan headed the ball wide from a 14th minute corner, in response Jaanai Gordon did well to provide a cross that was cleared easily enough by the Bridlington rearguard.

Kevin Bastos headed a Louis Keenan free kick just wide as the Nailers were warming to the task that lay ahead, then nerves were settled in the 28th minute when Ioan Evans nudged a far post corner kick over the line to give the Nailers the early advantage.

Keenan was instrumental moments later when he launched a deep cross that Bastos met with a firm header however Jack Hall was well placed to save it.

In a bizarre moment of anxiety on the stroke of half time, two defensive clearances rebounded off Bridlington players and the second sent Preston scrambling to stop the ball going over the line.

The introduction of Jack Watson in the 50th minute reaped instant dividends when a minute later he struck a low shot just inside the post from eighteen yards out to put the Nailers in command.

Belper were dominating now and won a string of corner kicks without adding to their score. Jaanai Gordon was unlucky to see a 60th minute shot rebound back off the post and a further goal seemed inevitable.

Ahmed Salam came closest for the Seasiders in the 70th minute when he forced a good save from Preston at the foot of the post, however most of the attacking effort continued to come from the visitors.

Gordon had a good effort deflected for a corner kick on 85 minutes, and late in the game Bastos hit a thunderbolt from twenty yards that Hall managed to parry.

Belper’s away form has underpinned their success this season having lost just three games in the league, and they will hope to take that form up to Stocksbridge and ensure that they reach the final on Saturday.

Whatever happens it has been a great effort from Lee Attenborough’s men who have given their absolute all in every game and are now two games away from a return to the Premier Division.

Bridlington Town: Hall (Voase 80), Makwedza, Dixon, Heslop, Attree, Allan, Earl, Kay (Bemrose 80), Coulson (Ripley 71), Salam, Leverett (Dyer 61). Unused sub: Dyer.

Belper Town: Preston, Rhodes, Keenan, Austin (Warren 76), Broadhead, Evans, Bastos, Wood (Wafula 78), Gordon (Greaves 85), Burrows (Crofts 90+2), Buah (Watson 50).

Referee: Matthew Wright

Att: 459