Manager Grant Black made changes to the starting eleven sparked not only by his team’s dip in form but to accommodate the surprise loss of top scorer Jonathon Margetts who left the Raygar Stadium to join Stamford following the Nailers’ defeat by the Damiels the previous Saturday.

Out went Sam Wright, Derry Robson and Josh Waldram and in came Connor Leak- Blunt, Craig Nelthorpe and loan signing. Jack Sherlock, whilst Alex Peterson took over the main striker’s role.

A stiff breeze threatened to disrupt the game on an artificial surface, but in reality the Nailers coped quite well and in spells played some good football and enjoyed plenty of possession.

Jorrin John had the afternoon’s first serious effort on goal for the Greenbacks in the 7th minute with a flashing drive that went over the crossbar.

The Nailers created an opening soon afterwards when Alex Peterson turned the ball invitingly across the six yard area, but there wasn’t a yellow shirt to take advantage.

Prince Mancinelli had an effort go wide from the edge of the penalty area 2 minutes later, then came a long period of even play in which neither side could create much in the way of opportunities.

Sam Muggleton’s long throw was something to behold as he could propel the ball deep into the penalty area to cause problems for the Nailers, but less was seen of this attacking threat after the break.

The game turned on 34 minutes when Josh Woodcock was shown a red card for what the referee interpreted as a dangerous tackle, although the player protested strongly that he hadn’t made any contact.

There followed a niggly spell up until half time and the referee struggled to maintain discipline and he was no doubt relieved to reach the break without further serious incident.

Belper played better football with only 10 men and were much more involved after the break.

Richard Blythe nearly caught out Belper custodian Lewis Gwilliams with a 49th minute header that hit the post, but 3 minutes later the Nailers were celebrating after South nodded on a Nelthorpe free kick and Peterson prodded the ball under Sam Lomax to score.

John should have grabbed a quick equaliser in the 57th minute when he plenty of time to place his shot, only to put the ball wide of the far post, however he made amends for his glaring miss when a 64th minute cross shot drifted over Gwilliams to go in off the upright.

The game erupted again in the 66th minute when Muggleton was shown a second yellow and subsequently a red after holding Nathan Curtis back as he looked set to run away with the ball, then more drama, this time on the touchline occurred when Nailers’ assistant boss Mick Norbury was also shown a red card.

The Nailers were in the ascendancy now and Brodie Litchfield saw a close range shot kicked off the line on 69 minutes, and with 10 minutes left on the clock, Belper passed their way through the Greenbacks’ defence where substitute Karl Demidh stroked the ball just inside the far post for what would turn out to be the winning goal.

Curtis went close to extending Belper’s lead when a fine run and shot went just over the bar, and despite the hosts stepping up their efforts for an equaliser, the Nailers held on comfortably for 3 points and consolidation of their place in the play off zone.

Bedworth United. Lomax, Moore, Rowe, Parrot, Barnett, Muggleton, John, Blackmore (Wakefield 57), Keen (Dawson 70), Lockett, Blythe (Sawyers 82). Unused subs: Wells, Dearle.

Belper Town: Gwilliams, Woodcock, Rhodes, Leak-Blunt, South, Jordan, Litchfield, Mancinelli, Peterson (Demidh 76), Sherlock (Curtis 45), Nelthorpe. Unused subs: Robson, Wright, Waldram..

Referee: Gareth Davis

Attendance: 243