Bedworth started the game six points adrift at the bottom of the NPL Midlands table, and on paper at least, this game looked like a certain three points for the Nailers.

The reality proved starkly different as the Greenbacks played as though their lives depended on it and were successful in snuffing out what the Nailers had to offer.

It could have been different of course as the Nailers almost went ahead in the 4th minute when Tague struck the inside of the post with a shot from eighteen yards, however it was the hosts who stunned Belper by taking the lead in the 19th minute.

A clumsy challenge by Belper defender Evans not only earned him a yellow card but the resulting free kick by Hewett was deflected past the Belper ‘keeper by Parrott to give the hosts an unexpected lead.

Bastos had looked dangerous on the left even though a couple of his crosses were over hit. He headed a difficult opportunity wide on 37 minutes after the initial shot from Gratton was blocked.

Some more excellent work from Gratton ended with Bastos shooting wide when he should really have hit the target on 42 minutes then moments later, he was unceremoniously substituted and ran straight down the players tunnel clearly upset.

It was hard going for the Nailers who never really got to grips with the 3G surface, and after having played their last two games on grass with plenty of give, found it hard to string passes together.

In a slow start to the second period the Nailers could only muster a Moran header straight at the ‘keeper on 52 minutes and Tague just failed to make contact after an Austin shot was diverted to him on 64 minutes.

Belper’s equaliser came out of the blue, but nothing could take away the technique behind Tague’s superb volley from the edge of the penalty area in the 70th minute which saw the ball rocket into the far corner of the net.

This should have spurred the Nailers on to get a winner, but they got bogged down in midfield as Bedworth stifled Belper’s movement and caused the Nailers plenty of problems in defence in the last quarter of the game.

It would have been hard on the hosts if Belper had scored again because their efforts deserved a point, but history will show that this was two points dropped and as a result Carlton move further ahead and extended their lead to seven points.

Bedworth United: Highland, Anthony, Mooney, Parrott, Ben Blakely, Ferguson, Hewett, Barry, Boothe (Westwood 67), Monaghan, Ngbeken-Itota (Gordon 83). Unused subs: Kelly, West, Sayer.

Belper Town: Preston, Rhodes, Keenen, Fankwe, Broadhead, Evans, Bastos (Fenton 42), Austin (Burrows 77), Moran (Wafula 84), Gratton, Tague. Unused subs: Tsolakis, Frost.

Referee: David Hinton

Att: 205