They also had to overcome the disruption of a late kick off caused by travel issues that meant some Belper players arrived barely 15 minutes before the original scheduled kick off.

The match official and Spalding graciously accepted the Nailers request for a delay, but the Spalding management may have been more reluctant if they had known what was about to happen on the pitch.

The Nailers gave the Tulips a hint of what was to come in just the 3rd minute when the excellent Brodie Litchfield sent over a superb cross into the six yard area that Alex Peterson diverted over the bar at full stretch.

Then came the first of only two moments of concern in the whole game for Belper.
Jordan Macleod, who whose hat trick had eliminated the Nailers from the F A Trophy just over two weeks previously had a fierce shot blocked by Riece Bertram in the 11th minute.

But Belper had learned their lesson and marshalled the Tulips striker to the extent that he barely featured for the rest of the game.

Litchfield headed straight at the ‘keeper on 18 minutes, then the second moment of concern came on 22 minutes when Spalding’s most influential player on the night, Steffan Broccoli curled a shot that needed a hand from Ollie Battersby combined with the angle of the goal to keep it out.

The Nailers were beginning to open up the hosts more frequently and Litchfield forced a save out of Michael Duggan moments later, then Jonathon Margetts made a telling run behind the Tulips’ defence forcing Chris Ward to bundle him over and concede a penalty in the 28th minute.

Spot kicks have posed a problem this season but Margetts stepped up to roll the ball just inside the post to clinch the all important first goal.

Margetts came to life in the final 15 minutes or so of the first half and he turned provider on 42 minutes when he once again eluded his markers and crossed for Alex Peterson to convert at the far post.

Belper rammed home their advantage in added first half time when Litchfield found Margetts just inside the penalty area and in one silky movement; controlled and volleyed the ball past Duggan just inside the far post. A goal of the highest quality.

It was one way traffic after the break but they couldn’t breach a resolute Tulips rearguard, although they came close once or twice.

Todd Jordan brought a fine save out of Duggan with a towering header in the 48th minute, then the Spalding ‘keeper excelled with a superb diving save to deny Margetts his hat trick 2 minutes later.

It was surprising that no further goals came as Belper were dominant, and despite Broccoli doing his best to spark a revival from central midfield, when his captain Gregg Smith was sent off for a second yellow in the 69th minute, the Tulips’ challenge was all but over.

Craig Nelthorpe was pulled up for a marginal offside decision on 87 minutes when he ran through to put the ball into the goal, then Margetts was denied again when another effort was bundled over the bar by the ‘keeper.

An excellent performance from the Nailers who move on to 5 games unbeaten without conceding; next up Stamford (away) on Saturday.

Spalding United: Duggan, Yala G, Flitton, Cartwright, Stainfield, Ward (Olivant 52), Broccoli, Bucci (Adams 52), Smith, Macleod, Baker. Unused subs: Englang, Floyd, Yala R.

Belper Town: Battersby, Woodcock, Rhodes (Haywood 75), Bertram, South, Jordan, Litchfield, Mancinelli, Peterson (Nelthorpe 70), Margetts, Curtis (Waldram 75). Unused subs: Beejer, Wilson.

Referee: Alistair Wilson

Attendance: 248