As contests go even those with the best of memories will soon forget this scrappy encounter against a tough Warwick outfit that nullified Belper’s attacking ideas.

The Nailers fielded a strong first eleven even though Wafula was unavailable but could only name two fit outfield players on the bench.

The game nearly started badly for Belper as the hosts nearly conceded inside two minutes when a goalmouth scramble could and probably should have been converted if Dawes had made better connection with the ball.

The quality of football was seriously compromised by the state of the pitch, and when Nailers’ skipper Broadhead limped off holding his back in the 20th minute a quick rethink was required in defence.

Belper had half chances in the 22nd and 25th minute with Moran’s shot blocked following a swift break out, then Gratton forced Allsop into a save at full stretch with an effort from the edge of the penalty area.

Moran saw a 31st minute drive from a Burrows free kick cleared off the line and the Belper striker was unlucky to see a header, again from a Burrows set piece, land on top of the net.

Dawes’ overhead attempt on 42 minutes went wide of the far post, then Hamp worked his way into a good shooting position just before the break but fortunately missed the target by a yard.

The second half promised more in the way of entertainment and certainly the Nailers had more possession, but the end product never materialised.

Shaw tested Allsop from fifteen yards on 49 minutes, then Opoku prodded the ball wide of the target in the 65th.

Moran had a shot saved with fifteen minutes to go; however, the tall Racers’ defenders always came out on top regardless of how many corners Belper generated.

Unfortunately, in the 88th minute Austin was given a straight red card for what seemed to be an innocuous challenge, and despite this set back, Belper still searched for a winner.

It could easily have ended in tears as in the final seconds, Keenan’s header back to Preston fell short and Hamp pounced on the opportunity, however the Belper ‘keeper saved the day by smothering the shot.

Belper still retain their place in the play-off zone, but it is getting ever tighter at the top as the season enters the latter stages.

Belper Town: Preston, Bowman, Keenan, Burrows, Broadhead (Austin 20), Evans, Bastos, Gratton, De Girolamo (Markelic 75), Moran, Shaw. Unused subs: Rhodes, Hassett.

Racing Club Warwick: Allsop, Tetlow, Hayward (Flynn B 87), Blackmore, Barnett, Edwards, Moore, Barkers (Andrews 69), Hamp, Dawes (Taylor 69), Opuko (Nash 69). Unused sub: Flynn J.

Referee: Ryan Calvert

Attendance: 527

Match Sponsors: James Jones Plastering

Sponsors' Man of the Match: Kieran Preston