Craig Nelthorpe’s straight red card on the stroke of half time threw manager Grant Black’s game plan out of the window, and consequently the Nailers were forced to take containment action against the Lilywhites who sought to press home their numerical advantage.

On a hard pitch and swirling wind the Nailers started the game well and were generally in control of the first period.

Josh Woodcock sent a low drive straight at Dan George in the City goal, before Mikey Davis struck a similar effort straight to Lewis Gwilliams.

The Nailers went ahead after 13 minutes when Alex Peterson swept home a Danny South knock on to put Belper firmly in the driving seat in the early stages.

Tom Wilson soared above everyone in the 17th minute and headed a Nelthorpe corner kick over the cross bar, and Jakub Niemczyk made good use of his pace to chase a ball over the top, but couldn’t make the most of the opportunity.

South nearly caught out the Lilywhites ‘keeper in the 35th minute with a towering header just inside the penalty area that needed acrobatics from George to keep the ball out.

Then came the incident that led to Nelthorpe’s dismissal. The Belper fullback’s crunching tackle was initially ignored by the referee but after stopping the game to allow treatment to the injured player, he dismissed Nelthorpe after consulting with his assistant.

The Nailers could have gone further ahead in the 53rd minute when South controlled a cross from Wilson, but he couldn’t get enough power behind his shot, although the Lilywhites ‘keeper still had to show good reactions to prevent the ball going in.

Generally though, the hosts held the lion’s share of possession as the half wore on, and Jarid Robson missed a glorious opportunity to bring the scores level on 60 minutes.

Belper’s new signing Sam Muggleton had replaced Nelthorpe at half time but was only able to showcase his renowned long throw on one occasion as the Nailers were forced to retreat further and further back.

Brodie Litchfield’s solo run and shot on 79 minutes was Belper’s last attacking effort.

City substitute Jordan Gent had a good sight of goal on 87 minutes but shot straight at Gwilliams, but a succession of corner kicks put the Nailers under increasing pressure, and deep into added-on time Taylor Parr sent a looping over the ‘keeper to salvage a point for the hosts right at the end.

Cambridge City: George, Agemoh- Davies (Bradley 78), Miles, Bridges, Ofosu, Parr, Conway (Swift 67), Maynard, Ingrey, Robson (Gent 81), Davis. Unused subs: Barnes, Swinton.

Belper Town: Gwilliams, Woodcock, Nelthorpe, Wilson, South, Jordan, Litchfield (Curtis 81), Mancinelli, Peterson (Gibson 61), Robson, Niemczyk (Muggleton 45). Unused subs: Demidh, Wright.

Referee: Gary Connell

Attendance: 208