With Jacob Gratton, Ben Rhodes, and Lewis Austin still on the injured list, it was good news for the Nailers when Josh Mansell was declared fit to play.

Basford had recent Belper player Tristan Thompson-Matthews in their line up and he managed to do what many ex Nailers do and that is to score against their former club.

The Nailers needed a positive outcome because performances in recent games haven’t been reflected in results, yet here again a good display failed to lead to league points.

The game was played at the usual frantic pace made more so by the local derby effect, and no doubt the hosts felt they had something to prove after last season’s play off semi final defeat on penalties.

Basford had the first opportunity when Danny Gordon’s free kick flew high over Kieron Preston’s goal on 10 minutes.

Louis Keenan’s cross moments later was almost converted by Harry Draper whose flick went straight to Matt Yates in the hosts’ goal.

Another promising move from the Nailers came in the 17th minute when Jack Edwards’ cross just failed to reach Curtis Burrows.

Gordon’s volley on 25 minutes was deflected wide, and as the game see sawed from end to end, Mansell’s cross on 29 minutes was well held by Yates who did well to collect the ball as it fizzed across at ground level.

Moments later Edwards’ shot was deflected for a corner kick and on 37 minutes Draper did well to control the ball before setting up Burrows who saw his effort blocked.

Another Gordon free kick was off target two minutes later, drawing jeers from the Belper supporters, but it was Basford fans who had the last laugh when a long clearance led to indecision from Broadhead and Preston leaving Amarvir Sandhu to nip in to score.

Preston prevented another goal on the stroke of half time when he made a great save from Brad Gascoigne’s volley in added time.

A disastrous start to the second half occurred when Thompson- Matthews was left completely on his own in the six-yard area and he only had to tap the ball in when it came to him.

It was at this point that the Nailers seemed to wake up and realise that they were heading for another league defeat.

Jack Rogers, on as a half time substitute got behind the Basford defence in the 50th minute and hit a swerving shot just past the upright, then
Draper forced Yates into a good save, but the Belper striker couldn’t capitalize with the follow up.

Moments later and the hosts were grateful to get the ball away as a corner kick caused havoc in the six-yard area, and a much improved Nailers reduced the deficit with a nicely taken goal from Draper on 75 minutes who steered the ball wide of the ‘keeper to nestle in the far corner.

Draper nearly salvaged a point for the Nailers in the 86th minute with a header from a Rogers’ cross and despite throwing everything at Basford in added time, the hosts hung on for victory and in doing so leapfrogged the Nailers in the league table.

Basford United: Yates, Betts, Thistleton, Peters, Stewart, Gascoigne (Wilson 66), Thompson-Matthews, Gordon (Gill 78), Palmer, Nobel, Sandhu (Rose 70). Unused subs: Ebanks, Twite.

Belper Town: Preston, Mansell (Ayetine 90+2), Keenan, Fankwe (Rogers 46), Broadhead (Eccleshall 57), Evans, Edwards, Wafula, Draper, Burrows, Kuleya. Unused subs: Austin, Gordon.

Referee: Callum Lockley

Att: 507