Evan Garnett went straight into the starting line up with Tyrell Waite dropping to the bench, and the Nailers welcomed back Jonathan Wafula and Jordon Fankwe after both players had served a one game suspension.

The Wakes’ recent form had seen them drop into the relegation area and a full-strength Nailers team were expected to collect all three points to keep their own improvement in form on track.

Danny Gordon came close to opening the scoring when he wrestled the ball back into his possession and moved past three players to shoot straight at Will Lakin.

A subtle knock down by Harry Draper put Jacob Gratton in possession in the 8th minute but his attempted shot was charged down.

In the 11th minute a long throw from Gordon was back headed by Draper and the ball bounced back off the inside of the far post into the arms of Lakin.

Kieron Preston was forced into action in the 27th minute when Jack York’s half volley was beaten away by the Belper ‘keeper.

The Nailers went ahead a minute later when good combination play between Gratton and Garnett let Draper in with a shooting opportunity which he skilfully accepted by guiding the ball home just inside the near post.

Belper were two up in the 34th minute when Josh Mansell’s cross into the six-yard area was nudged over the line by the predatory Draper who got in front of his defender.

Garnett was inches away from marking his return to the Nailers with a goal in the 40th minute however his shot on the turn struck the cross bar much to Garnett’s disappointment.

The Wakes’ came out for the second half in a completely different frame of mind and the introduction of Freddie Allen and Harry McLoughlin presented a different set of problems for the Nailers.

Barely two minutes after the restart the Nailers were back tracking when McLoughlin raced away down the right and fed Zac Allen forcing Preston into an important save.

The hosts pressed Belper back and it required a firm piece of handling from Preston to claim a well taken 62nd minute free kick by Zac Allen.

Garnett had a great chance to re-open his scoring account with Belper when the ball was knocked on by a defender leaving him with just the ‘keeper to beat, but he put the ball wide of the target.

Zac Allen blazed over a good opportunity for Bourne on 68 minutes, then the Nailers were gifted a great chance to put the game to bed when they were awarded a penalty kick for a hand ball offence.

Lakin guessed right and saved Gratton’s spot kick as he struck the ball too close to the Wakes’ ‘keeper.

Boosted by Belper’s penalty miss they went down the field and pulled a goal back in the 82nd minute when Lewis Darlington nodded home from close range after the Nailers were caught cold on the break.

It was nail biting stuff for the last ten to fifteen minutes, but the Nailers hung on to their lead and the final whistle was greeted with great relief from players, management, and supporters alike.

Bourne Town: Lakin, Dunn, Burrows J (Allen F 45), Eyett (McLoughlin 46), Milne, Brooks, Furey (Randall 46), York, Darlington, Forbes, Allen Z. Unused subs: Fleck

Belper Town: Preston, Mansell, Gordon (Rhodes 60), Fankwe, Keegan, Evans, Kuleya (Burrows C 23), Wafula, Draper (Waite 72), Garnett (Knowles 77), Gratton (Ayetine 90 +4).

Referee: Jack Deschoolmeester

Att: 334