Manager Lee Attenborough made one change to his starting line up with Harry Draper starting alongside Tyrell Waite, while Nuneaton’s squad included former Nailers Terry Atem and Harry Wakefield.

Boro were surprised to say the least at Belper’s opening to the game as the Nailers threatened to sweep the home side away in an electrifying opening twenty minutes.

Jacob Gratton hit a fine shot just wide of the target inside the first thirty seconds which was a prelude to Belper peppering the hosts’ goal with multiple crosses and corner kicks.

In the 7th minute Draper was fouled inside the penalty area, and the Nailers had the best opportunity to underpin their energetic start with a goal from the penalty spot.

Unfortunately, Gratton’s penalty kick was brilliantly saved by Gabriel Bajrami who went on to be influential in keeping the Boro in the game.

Belper continued to sweep forward and never allowing Nuneaton the chance to settle on the ball, and they were rewarded in the 15th minute when the ball emerged from a goal mouth melee following a corner kick and Tav Kuleya drove the ball home through the populated six yard area.

Bajrami showed his worth again on 32 minutes when Gratton connected with a left foot shot destined to creep inside the post, but the Boro custodian stretched at full length to deny him.

Draper nearly converted a Kuleya cross in the 36th minute but the ball failed to roll over the line, and Tyrell Waite put a header just over from a 44th minute free kick.

Tempers flared in the Belper six-yard area just before the half time whistle, with the outcome being a red card for Boro skipper Aaron Roberts and a yellow for Jonathan Wafula.

There was a controversial moment in the 47th minute when Gratton ran through and was bundled over from behind, but despite long and loud appeals, the referee wasn’t interested.

Belper had an uncertain few minutes leading up to the hour mark and after losing the ball in midfield they were caught on the break and before they could prevent it Bradley Stretton had brought them level with a well taken finish.

Moments later Belper lost the ball in the same area of the pitch, but this time were able to snuff out the danger, but they had learned from their errors and didn’t allow the hosts any further opportunities.

Waites’ superbly taken goal on 63 minutes put Belper back in control as the Nailers’ striker volleyed Danny Gordon’s pass high into the net with Bajrami powerless to prevent it going in.

Belper had further opportunities extend their lead when in the 67th minute Louis Keenan headed over a Gratton free kick, and Waite blasted the ball over the bar from sixteen yards.

The Nailers’ confidence is growing game by game and today smiles returned to the Belper faithful who follow the Nailers come rain or shine.

Nuneaton Town: Bajrami, Chesterton (Hendrie 76), Shilton, Elliott, Roberts, Softley, Sawyers, Somel (Corrithers 8), Atem (Wakefield 54), Stretton, Jones. Unused subs: Green, Osborn.

Belper Town: Preston, Mansell, Gordon (Rhodes 68), Fankwe (Burrows 46), Keenan, Evans, Kuleya, Wafula, Draper (Edwards 68), Waite, Gratton. Unused subs: Broadhead, Stevens.

Referee: Callum Lockley

Att: 603