The Colemen were creeping up ominously behind Belper in the play-off stakes and this victory may prove crucial as the season progresses into the final stages.

With all but one other fixture in the Midlands division falling foul of the bad weather, Coleshill’s artificial surface allowed the game to take place even though the blustery conditions made good football difficult at times.

The first half was devoid of significant incident with both ‘keepers having very little to do. Brodie Litchfield’s good work on the right in the 9th minute ended with a cross zipping across the six-yard area with no-one on hand to apply the finishing touch.

Niall Rowe wasn’t to far away for the hosts as his header looped over the bar in the 28th minute, and Vidal Hendrickson’s cross on 28 minutes flashed past everyone much to the relief of the Belper defenders.

The Nailers hadn’t asked too many questions of a well organised Colemens’s rearguard, but a strong run from Jakub Niemczyk needed prompt action from Coleshill to prevent him running through with the ball.

The second half was much more entertaining and could have started with a goal for the Nailers on 48 minutes. Alex Peterson set the opportunity up for the recently introduced Karl Demidh but he couldn’t direct his shot inside the near post.

After a particularly demanding spell for the Nailers, the hosts won a penalty when Danny South was adjudged to have tripped a Coleshill striker in the box in the 58th minute, and Kai Tongue saw his spot kick strike the inside of the post and go over the goal line.

It was a sobering moment for the Nailers who had to set about creating more in the hosts’ half of the pitch, but within 6 minutes they had drawn level.

Jack Gibson, on loan from Gainsborough Trinity had only been on the field for a few minutes, but found himself in the right place to nod the ball in from Karl Demidh’s lay-off following a Nathan Curtis cross.

Gibson had another effort well saved at the foot of the post moments later, and his introduction seemed to have sparked a change in fortunes for a Nailers side that had laboured for much of the game.

Danny South nearly redeemed himself with a thunderous drive that came back off the crossbar on 72 minutes, and the Nailers were now looking favourites to take all the points.

Curtis had a snap shot volley saved on 78 minutes, and while the Colemen were trying to get up a head of steam George Washbourne had a shot that curled just over the bar.

However, in the 85th minute Demidh slid the ball through the hosts’ defence for Jack Gibson to sidestep the ‘keeper and guide the ball over the line. A goal of high quality at any level of the game.

Players and supporters could barely contain their joy at the final whistle as all knew the significance of this victory as they took another step to the end of season playoffs.

Coleshill Town: Hathaway, Hendrickson (Hilton 77), Carter-Byrne, Rowe, Palmer, Doyle, Tongue, Tomkinson (Dubidat 77), Dainty, Phillips (Washbourne 64), Sandhu. Unused sub: White.

Belper Town: Gwilliams, Rhodes (Wright 28), Nelthorpe, Mancinelli (Demidh 45), South, Jordan, Litchfield, Robson, Peterson (Gibson 58), Niemczyk, Curtis. Unused subs: Wilson, Beejer

Referee: Ben Cooke

Attendance: 200