The Nailers starting lineup had a fresh look about it as temporary loan signing Tom Eccleshall replaced the suspended Louis Keenan, and new signing Diego De Girolamo went straight into the forward line after signing earlier in the week.

The bench included Luke Shaw who joined the Nailers a week ago and was returning slowly from serious injury and he was to make his debut late in the game.

Basford United included former Nailer Revarnelle James in their line up and arrived at the Raygar Stadium in third place in the NPL Midlands, just two points behind the Nailers.

As to be expected there was little to choose between the two teams and as a result clear cut chances were difficult to come by.

Kevin Bastos turned sharply in the 10th minute and had Matthew Yates in the Basford goal diving at full length to prevent an early goal.

James hit the side netting on 13 minutes, then Kieran Preston was in action on 18 minutes when Ethan Stewart met an 18th minute corner kick and the Belper ‘keeper touched the ball over the cross bar.

Preston was on hand again three minutes later when Dameer Rose squeezed his way past two defenders, but his shot was well saved by the Belper custodian.

Bastos was unlucky to see his shot cannon off the far post as he made the opportunity with a burst of speed through the visiting defence.

Curtis Burrows tested Yates with a long-range effort on 32 minutes and then the Nailers were reduced to ten men after Jordan Fankwe’s off the ball challenge on Connor Dimaio resulted in a straight red.

Fankwe’s future at the Raygar Stadium must be in question after his second sending off in consecutive games left the Nailers with a huge task with just ten men.

Worse was to come when a cross fired in from the right was drilled home by James past Preston on 37 minutes to give the visitors the lead.

Parity was restored quickly however when De Girolamo cleverly lobbed defenders and ‘keeper in the 40th minute and scored what is hoped to be the first of many by the former Matlock and Buxton striker.

De Girolamo showed his pedigree with a slick turn and shot on 44 minutes but this time the ball flew over the target.

The Nailers began the second period on top and came very close to taking the lead when Burrows’ free kick curled tantalisingly towards the right hand post however the ball struck the angle of the goal and was cleared.

A spell of heavy rain slowed things up for both sides, but the Nailers had the better of the chances on offer.

Covarne Leon had a shot saved for Basford on 69 minutes, but Liam Moran lashed the ball over the top minutes after coming on as a substitute.

He was unlucky again in the 78th minute when an angled snapshot hit the side netting and by now the game had become open and end to end.

Basford were reduced to ten men on 82 minutes when Osa Solomon received a straight red for a more than robust challenge, while the excellent Jacob Gratton could have capped a fine display on 85 minutes when Bastos set him with a good opportunity but his effort ballooned over the cross bar.

The Nailers can be pleased with their performance despite being a man down for almost an hour, and with the extra fire power within their ranks, the New Year holds more promise.

Belper Town: Preston, Rhodes, Eccleshall, Fankwe, Broadhead, Evans, Bastos (Shaw 86), Burrows, De Girolamo (Moran 67), Gratton, Fenton (Austin 46). Unused subs: Wafula, Green.

Basford United: Yates, Soloman, Christie, Dimaio, Stewart, Ebanks, Dacres (Burton 75), Peters, Leon (Durose 83), James, Rose. Unused subs: Cevirir, Woodward.

Referee: Scott Mason

Att: 769

Match Sponsor: Louis Street

Sponsors Man of the Match: Jacob Gratton