Manager Lee Attenborough retained the same starting eleven that won in midweek at AFC Rushden and Diamonds hoping they could replicate their away form in front of their own supporters.

South made his home debut, his third, while Austin was back in contention after completing a three-game suspension.

It all began well enough for the Nailers who were gifted an own goal in the 11th minute when Griffin headed Gratton’s cross past his own goalkeeper to give the Nailers an early lead.

Unfortunately, the Nailers quickly reciprocated barely two minutes later when Keenan appeared to be the last player to touch the ball as he attempted to clear it off the line.

The Nailers generally held the upper hand for the rest of the half with Burrows having a 32nd minute effort blocked and a South header deflected away from its target.

Gratton’s 39th minute cross shot went close to the far post and his best effort, a low drive in the 41st minute needed a save at full stretch from Bunn to keep it out.

Somewhere in all of that, the Nailers had a penalty shout turned down as well, however it was all square at the break.

South’s 47th minute header was saved under the cross bar but the expected sustained pressure and push for an equaliser never really materialised.

The visitors had all the key moments when in the 51st minute Preston saved well with his legs from Edwards, then the Belper ‘keeper was on hand to save Child’s effort moments later.

Litchfield took the lead when Francis scored from a corner kick, then a quickly taken free kick on 60 minutes left Griffin with only Preston to beat and he finished with a crisp shot.

The Nailers were up against it from then on and a raft of substitutions were made to spice up a rather flat attacking effort.

South did manage to reduce the arrears with a headed goal from a short corner move in the 70th minute, but unfortunately the Nailers couldn’t raise their game sufficiently to mount a fightback.

The visitors rubbed salt into Belper’s wounds in the 88th minute when Smart pounced on Austin’s under hit pass and ran on to beat Preston at the far post.

Defeat leaves Belper anxiously looking over their shoulders as the season enters the last phase of games.

Belper Town: Preston, Rhodes (Moran 67), Keenan, Fankwe, Broadhead (Markelic 83), Evans, Bowman, Burrows (Austin 83), South, Wafula (Bastos 67), Gratton. Unused sub: Hassett

Lichfield City: Bunn, Mansell, Shorrock, Francis (Smart 84), McMenemy (Spiers 29), Mills, Edwards, Griffin, Smith (Brown 76), Taylor (Eden 76), Childs (Lomas 84).

Referee: Julia Kings

Att: 801

Match Sponsor: BTFC FA Vase Squad 1995

Sponsor’ Man of the Match: Jacob Gratton