The Nailers risked skipper Broadhead who wasn’t 100% fit just to keep the defensive shape intact for this tricky encounter at the Nationwide Windows Arena.

The Belper skipper had to be replaced at half time, but Rhodes, who had been on the injured list for the last few weeks made his return to the side in the second half.

Recent displays by Moran were sufficient to get the nod over De Girolamo who was named as a substitute while Austin was suspended and Wafula didn’t make it back in time from his vacation.

Clubs with plastic pitches tend to have the advantage early on in games, but the Nailers soon adapted and while possession was equal chances at either end were a rarity.

Collins was the first player on the field to have sight of goal, and the Boro striker wasn’t too far away with an effort that just cleared the cross bar.

Keenan came close to scoring in the 12th minute when his glancing header from a corner kick bounced the wrong side of the upright, and the defenders’ reaction suggested he knew he ought to have put the ball away.

Bastos made space for a shot when he turned with the ball in the 16th minute although he failed to find the target on this particular occasion.

The best chance of the half fell to Boro’s Stone in the 21st minute when Waite worked the ball through to the unmarked striker and even though he had a clear shot at goal he struck the ball well wide.

Moran headed wide after some good work involving Gratton that saw the Belper player put over a good cross, then on the stroke of half time Boro’s Waite wasted a good opportunity by shooting wide from eighteen yards.

Gratton’s involvement on the right side generated possibilities when in the 55th minute he did well to cross the ball into the danger area but there wasn’t a blue shirt to take advantage.

He was there again two minutes later when he worked his way into the six-yard area, but he was crowded out, with the ball finally going to Bald in the Boro goal.

Boro had their first shot on target in the 67th minute when Richards angled shot was beaten away by Preston, however within two minutes the Nailers were celebrating a goal.

This time it was Moran who got to the bye line and lifted a perfectly flighted cross to Evans waiting at the far post and his downwards header bounced past Bald to rest in the net.

Moran should perhaps have added to Belper’s score when the ball rebounded to his benefit with only the ‘keeper to beat but credit to the Boro ‘keeper who came out quickly to reduce Moran’s options.

The hosts were reduced to ten men after Richards received a second yellow card and a subsequent red in added time.

The Nailers could have capped a hardworking display when Bastos worked some magic to find Burrows unmarked on the edge of area, but the Belper midfielder half volley just went agonisingly past the post.

This was an especially important win for Belper as the competition for playoff places is heating up week by week.

Rugby Borough: Bald, Myles, Rowe, Clements (Reka 84), Rowe-Turner, Meikle, Richards, Stohrer, Waite, Stone (Gyamfi 74), Collins. Unused subs: Grocott, Bruce.

Belper Town: Preston, Bowman, Keenan, Fankwe, Broadhead (Rhodes 46), Evans, Bastos, Burrows, Moran (De Girolamo 86), Gratton, Shaw (Markelic 63). Unused sub: Hassett

Referee: Simon Gudger

Att: 127