The contrast from Saturday’s game at Shepshed was stark to say the least. With the resources that the University has it was no surprise that the pitch was in fantastic condition.

This was reflected in the standard of football on show, which was fast, fluent and at times exciting as befits a game at this standard.

It was surprising then that the game didn’t produce any goals, and defences were on top with both teams lacking that decisive cutting edge.

Curtis Burrows started the game while Jonathan Wafula deputised for the absent Harry Draper, and usual skipper Jack Broadhead was again amongst the substitutes. Former Nailer Matty Bowman was in the Students' starting line up.

Kash Kasukumya put a good chance wide after 5 minutes for the hosts and a quickly taken corner kick soon afterwards for the Nailers caused panic for a second or two before Belper earned another corner kick.

In the 15th minute a clever corner routine from Loughborough led to a fiercely struck shot from Kasukumya which was thankfully deflected wide of goal for another corner.

The Nailers put together an impressive move on 21 minutes when Tav Kuleya’s reverse pass was latched on to by Jack Edwards, but the Belper winger’s shot crashed into the side netting.

Kieron Preston’s goal clearance on 24 minutes fell to Marcus Gilpin who moved forward quickly to unleash a shot that Preston saved.

Both teams had a spell of losing possession as the half drew to its close and the best effort that either team could muster was a glancing header from Wafula that didn’t trouble Henry Upstell in the Students’ goal.

Preston was at his best in the 48th minute as Kasukumya tried his luck with a curling effort from twenty-five yards, then Belper’s Edwards made a great run down the left, but his cross drifted out of play.

The Nailers had a good spell of pressure midway through the half and in the 72nd minute Wafula forced his way past the defender and struck a hard volley goal bound which Upstell saved at the second attempt.

Kuleya’s individual run and shot soon afterwards went straight at the ‘keeper and this was followed by Gilpin strike for the hosts that somehow took a deflection to loop over the bar.

The Nailers needed to be at the best defensively as Loughborough took control for the last few minutes, but they stood firm and Preston denied Alexandre Bertholon with a smart save at the foot of the post, and Louis Keenan’s desperate block at the end proved crucial.

The last time the Nailers had two consecutive goalless draws was in season 2002/3 when Belper drew with North Ferriby (home and away) in consecutive games and never at the start of a new campaign. (Stat courtesy of Tim Harrison).

Loughborough Students: Upstell, Bowman, Akinsanmi (Edward 64), Jones, Halford, Salsby, Gilpin, Roddy (Lee 76), Underwood (Rennie 75), Kasukumya, Ikegwuonu (Bertholon 68). Unused sub: James.

Belper Town: Preston, Rhodes, Eccleshall, Fankwe (Rogers 80), Keenan, Evans, Edwards, Burrows, Wafula, Gratton (Thompson-Matthews 88), Kuleya (Austin 90+1). Unused subs: Hassett, Broadhead.

Referee: Callum Johnson

Att: 221