In reality only an extraordinary set of results next Saturday could deny the Nailers their rightful place as they haven’t been out of the top five positions all season.

A crowd of nearly three times Mickleover’s average this season was not only there to watch their team play local rivals Belper Town, but also to say farewell to their long-time benefactor Don Amott who had decided to step down at the end of this season.

The Nailers remained focused on their task and played as well as they have done in recent games and were comfortably in control at half time.

The Nailers had the luxury of an early goal when in the 5th minute some inventive play led to Curtis Burrows finding Kevin Bastos with a slide rule pass, and Bastos finished well with a low drive into the far corner.

Belper’s approach play was of a high standard without creating anything clear cut while the hosts could only muster shots from Will Atkinson (4th minute), Danny Gordon (25th minute), and Andy Dales in the 28th minute.

Luke Shaw had an attempt on goal on 34 minutes, however a deflection took the ball wide and out for a corner kick.

Diego De Girolamo, back in the squad to boost striking options weighed in with a beautiful strike on 37th minute after he took control of the ball on the edge of the penalty area and sent a delightful curling lob over Jack McDowell and into the far corner.

The hosts had clearly been wound up during the break, and they came out fighting in the second period and were unrecognizable from the first half.

Manni Norkett went close to pulling a goal back for Mickleover with a tantalizing free kick on 57 minutes that bounced agonizingly past everyone to just miss the far post.

The Nailers had to defend more than they would have liked and in the 61st minute a thunderous header from Gordon struck the underside of the crossbar and over the goal line.

Another free kick this time from Luke McCormick needed the intervention of Kieron Preston to ensure the ball went over the cross bar and then Preston had to be alert to parry Joshua Carter’s run and shot on 75 minutes.

Belper needed a third goal for comfort, but they weren’t getting near enough to McDowell’s goal to achieve it. Liam Moran’s strong run down the left and thoughtful cross to Lewis Austin nearly paid dividends when Austin’s first time hit dipped narrowly over the cross bar.

The Nailers had to battle to preserve their lead and none more so than in the last ten minutes of the game when Mickleover threw everything at them.

Gordon gave the Nailers a fright deep in added time when he struck a half volley inches over the bar, and when the referee blew for time the overwhelming feeling of relief was there for everyone to see.

Belper’s final game of the regular season takes place next Saturday against already relegated Bourne Town where a point will be sufficient to be certain of a place in this season’s play offs.

Mickleover: McDowell, Bennett, Gordon, Atkinson, Gascoigne (Lawrence-Lowther 90+), Benson, Webb (McCormick 46), Wilkinson, Beavon (Carter J 46), Norkett, Dales. Unused subs: Carter L.

Belper Town: Preston, Fankwe, Keenan, Wafula, Broadhead, South, Bastos, Burrows, De Girolamo (Austin 76), Gratton, Shaw (Moran 71). Unused subs: Evans, Bowman, Hassett.

Referee: Andrew Park

Attendance: 795