With Karl Demidh unavailable through injury, manager Grant Black switched loan signing Jakub Niemcyzk into the central striking area alongside Alex Peterson, and it was his devastating pace with the ball and his crossing ability that helped unpick a resolute Royals’ defence.

Games on artificial pitches tend to be fast and furious affairs in this was no exception, and with Sutton Coldfield’s tactic of generally hitting the ball long for their speedy strike-force to latch on to, it took the Nailers time to get accustomed to the conditions.

In that time the Royals had two shots on target ; both came from Curvin Ellis whose first shot in the 6th minute nestled in Lewis Gwilliams arms and the second in the 11th minute, struck harder, was still dealt with by the Belper keeper comfortably.

Jakub Niemczyk demonstrated his pace and shooting ability in the 14th minute with a run and shot from 25 yards, but shortly after Gwilliams dived to save an effort from Jack Sang, however Niemczyk showed his true worth in the build up to the first goal.

The Polish striker left his marker in his wake as he sped down the left side before pulling a low cross from the bye-line where Alex Peterson was well placed to hit a half volley into the goal.

The Royals had the ball in the net on 24 minutes but their celebrations were soon cut short when the referee signalled for a foul in the build-up.

The Nailers had a period of containment after this as their hosts built up a head of steam in the latter stages of the half, but the Nailers had the perfect response when in added time they stunned Sutton Coldfield with a second goal.

As Craig Nelthorpe’s in swing corner came over it was the ever reliable head of skipper Danny South that met the corner kick, and sent the ball over the goal line to give Belper a firm grip on the game.

The second was always going to be a tricky one to negotiate as the Royals would have felt that the game was far from over, and it took some resolute defending to keep the Royals from whittling down Belper’s lead.

Yet the Nailers could have put the game out of reach in the 48th minute when Nathan Curtis set off on a mazy run to give himself a clear shooting opportunity, but he could only drill the ball directly at Jonathon Brown in the Royals’ goal.

Brodie Litchfield ‘s shot 2 minutes later came back off the foot of the post, then Sutton Coldfield spurned their best chance of the game when Isaac Marselia pounced on a loose ball but tamely hit his shot straight at Gwilliams.

Niemczyk continued to be a thorn in the Royals’ side as his pace caused problems all evening, and while Belper couldn’t add to their total, Sutton Coldfield did hit the inside of the post courtesy of Sang’s low shot, but the Nailers closed ranks after this to take all the points.

Sutton Coldfield Town: Brown, Christoporou, Lloyd, Burgess, Beresford, Redfern, Hurley (Crook 85), Sang, Ellis, Marselia, Eden (Brown 65). Unused subs: Hamilton, Wilson, Swann.

Belper Town: Gwilliams, Rhodes, Nelthorpe, Robson, South, Jordan (Wilson 68), Litchfield (Wright 85), Mancinelli, Peterson (Sherlock 83), Niemczyk, Curtis. Unused subs: Goode, Beejer.

Referee: James Conde

Attendance: 220