Midfielders Jonathan Wafula and Jordan Fankwe were unavailable but Jacob Gratton returned to the starting XI and Lewis Austin partnered Curtis Burrows behind him.

In the fifth minute, a cross from Jack Edwards found Harry Draper but the shot on his less favoured left foot came back off the post before Gratton’s shot was blocked.

A minute later, Edwards saw his shot blocked by Watkins as Belper’s promising start continued.

On seven minutes, Boston’s first chance came as Cotton was played in and beat the offside trap but Kieran Preston produced a fantastic save from the one on one in which he found himself.

Belper took the lead ten minutes in. Great play from the triumvirate of Edwards, Gratton and Austin on the right created a chance for Gratton to cross and Austin produced a cool finish from around the penalty spot.

The hosts nearly levelled instantly when a mix-up in Belper’s defence left Cotton with a great chance but his effort hit the post.

In the 17th minute, Edwards laid off for Kuleya, his great effort from 25 yards out left came back off the bar as the frantic opening continued.

The Nailers doubled their lead on 23 minutes. Austin found Edwards who crossed to the back post where Draper produced a great hooked volley back in to the net.

The 27th minute saw a long throw from Boston only half cleared and Watkins shot over from just outside the box.

A minute later, Kuleya found Austin who saw his effort palmed away by Jake West. This was the first of several great saves produced by the Poachers goalkeeper.

Five minutes before the break, Austin found himself with the ball at the back post and brought another smart stop out of West.

In the 43rd minute, Gratton’s pass to Kuleya created a shooting opportunity but it was just over and there was time for another chance before half-time as the same duo combined again. West’s point blank save ensured Boston remained in the match heading to the break.

The first half was as action packed as we’ve seen in a long time but it took a whole ten minutes of the second half for a chance to be created. Gratton’s cross was cleared only as far as Burrows, his rocket of a shot forced West in to a wonder save and prevented what would have been one of the great Belper Town goals.

In the 62nd minute, Mansell’s quick throw-in found Gratton who picked out Austin but he skewed his shot wide.

It felt like game over on 65 minutes. West came out to beat Gratton to a through-ball but his clearance went to Draper on Belper’s right wing. He produced a stunning finish from well over 40 yards to send the large travelling contingent of Belper fans in to raptures.

Boston continued to try and find a way back and in the 67th minute Gibbons tried his luck from the edge of the box; it hit the bar before bouncing down and landing on Preston who grabbed the ball off the line.

On 71 minutes, Preston did well to keep out an effort from Munton.

The final chance came two minutes in to stoppage time when Kuleya, who deserved a goal on the afternoon, cut in from the right and saw his shot saved by the feet of West before Austin fired over.

So the Nailers pick up a valuable - and fully deserved - three points and head into Tuesday’s match against league leaders Rugby Borough with confidence restored.

Boston Town: West, Ging, Smith (Houlston 31), Maddison (Burdass 46), Ford (C), Watkins (Limb 61), Bayliss, Gibbons, Siddons (Graves 46), Munton (Zaluzinskis 46), Cotton.

Belper Town: Preston, Mansell, Eccleshall, Burrows, Keenan, Evans (C), Edwards (Rogers 73), Austin, Draper (Ayetine 77), Gratton, Kuleya.
Unused subs: Broadhead, Rhodes.

Referee: Matthew Friend

Attendance: 130