PHOTO: Tom Wilson heads Belper level (Pic: Mike Smith)

The Millers came into the match boasting a fine home record, recording only two defeats all season at the Bill Stokeld Stadium.

However, the Nailers started brightly as they looked for an early goal in what was a crucial clash between the sixth and fifth-placed teams.

The first effort of note came in the 8th minute when Derry Robson was played through but his shot was just over the bar.

Sam Muggleton’s long throw-ins caused constant problems for the Carlton defence and on 15 minutes one of them reached the head of Danny South but his effort was again just off target, as the visitors dominated proceedings early on.

On the half hour mark, Todd Jordan managed to get his head to another Muggleton throw-in, this time it flew agonisingly wide.

Within a minute Brodie Litchfield, a danger all afternoon, burst down the right-hand side and played the ball across the six-yard box however there was no Belper player on hand for what would have been an easy tap-in.

Ten minutes before halftime came the closest effort of the match to date. Litchfield again running at the Carlton defence, pulled the ball back to Riece Bertram. The former Millers' captain lofted the ball to the back post where South came in but his header could only find the side netting.

A couple of minutes before the break Carlton goalkeeper Shaun Rowley misplaced a goal kick, Litchfield picked the ball up and had a shot on goal which was forced away for a corner as the first half finished 0-0.

The hosts took the lead on 49 minutes, against the overall run of play as a quick break through the middle found Aaron O’Connor. One on one with Daniel Moore he finished coolly.

The lead didn’t last long, however, just four minutes as a Muggleton throw-in resulted in a 18-yard box pinball before Prince Mancinelli got his head to the ball, it then fell to Tom Wilson who placed his header perfectly to level the scores at 1-1.

On the hour mark Mancinelli was played through but it was a difficult chance and his shot was over the bar.

After 73 minutes the Nailers had back to back dangerous looking free kicks with chances to get the ball into the box however Carlton’s defence stood firm and cleared to safety.

Belper’s first substitute of the afternoon saw Josh Woodcock replace Ben Rhodes as Grant Black tried to mix things up and find a winner.

With ten minutes remaining another quick break saw another Litchfield run and cross however once again no one could get on the end of it.

On 85 minutes the final throws of the dice saw Nathan Curtis and Sam Wright replace Bertram and Kyle Dixon.

However the Nailers failed to create anything further and the sucker punch came in the 94th minute of the match.

A throw-in towards the Belper penalty area was flicked on and fell to Tyler Blake whose header Moore was unable to keep out.

That proved to be the final action of the match as Carlton secured all three points to move within four points of Belper with three games remaining.

Bad news was to follow with goalkeeper Moore looking set to miss the remainder of the season through injury.

Carlton Town: Rowley, Gorman, Fletcher (Johal 66), Ball, Brown, Maddison, Czerwak (Opoku 57), Sargent, Watson, O’Connor, Howes (Blake 57). Unused subs: Moore, Tait.

Belper Town: Moore, Rhodes (Woodcock 77), Muggleton, Wilson, South, Jordan, Robson, Mancinelli, Bertram (Curtis 85), Dixon (Wright 85), Litchfield. Unused subs: Benjamin-Potts, Peterson.

Attendance: 155

Referee: Daniel Woolley