In front of their second highest league crowd of the season and in appalling conditions, the Bank Holiday crowd were treated to a game that had just about everything that non-league football has to offer.

There was a surprise for Nailers fans when the team sheet was issued in that Derry Robson had returned to the Raygar Stadium, and he went straight into the side after Riece Bertram had to pull out at the last minute with back spasms.

With Belper playing in their white away kit in support of homelessness charity, Shelter, it was a slow start to the game by both teams as the conditions made good football difficult.

The Nailers had the better of the early stages without creating anything clear cut although Karl Demidh had a shot that went high and wide in the 7th minute.

Belper lost Craig King with a back injury after just 18 minutes, and then might have conceded on 22 minutes when Dynamo nearly made the most of some sloppy play in midfield. Dynamo striker Courey Grantham was sent clear and only the bravery of Ollie Battersby prevented the visitors taking the lead.

Belper were nearly caught again in the 38th minute when Danny Gordon advanced with the ball and set up Curtis Burrows with a shooting opportunity that he put wide.

The visitors were making life difficult for Belper who were struggling to make any impact and they were unable to get a shot on target in the first half. However it was Dynamo who shocked the crowd by taking the lead in the 44th minute.

A unnecessary free kick was conceded just outside the penalty area and Grantham struck a fine shot that came back of the foot of the post and Dan Collins was first to react and struck the rebound under Battersby to score.

Belper had to be better after the break, and they were.

Danny South was moved up front while Tom Wilson came on for Karl Demidh, and there was a noticeable sense of urgency that had been lacking in the first half.

South had a fiercely driven shot blocked in the 53rd minute, then 2 minutes later Brodie Litchfield was brought down by Carl Sibson in the penalty area giving the Nailers a golden opportunity to get back in the game.

With the memory of two missed spot kicks at Histon there was extra nervousness when Jonathon Margetts stepped up to take the penalty kick, but this time there was no mistake.

Carl Sibson was sent off on 58 minutes presumably for something he said to the referee, then as Belper set about making the most of their numerical advantage, South hit the woodwork with a 60th minute header.

Ben Rhodes put a shot just wide on 68 minutes, then Belper lost Tom Wilson to a straight red card on 73 minutes after a tackle on the touch line was deemed dangerous, although it seemed more of a yellow card then a red.

The Nailers were relieved to see the assistants’ flag raised when Gordon headed home a cross on 76 minutes, then with the game in the balance, Belper won a free kick on the edge of the area on 78 minutes after Curtis was upended trying to dribble the ball through.

Jonathon Margetts totally fooled Jason Alexander by almost passing the ball around the wall and into the far corner of the net to give Belper a precious lead.

Loughborough battled on and caused the Nailers many anxious moments and also lost another player, skipper Rob Norris, for a second yellow card offence.

However the Nailers had done just enough to claim victory and set up a top of the table clash against Ilkeston at The New Manor Ground on New Year’s Day.

Belper Town: Battersby, Goode, Rhodes, Robson, South, Jordan, Litchfield, Waldram, King (Curtis 18), Margetts (Peterson 84), Demidh (Wilson 45). Unused subs: Nelthorpe, Mancinelli.

Loughborough Dynamo: Alexander, McNicholas, Gordon, Norris, Jacklin, Sibson, Da Silver Bastos (Mattews 66), Young, Grantham, Burrows, Colling. Unused subs: Rabstein, Akbas, Finnerty.

Referee: Martyn Fryer

Attendance: 601