Heading into the final day of the season, the Nailers knew a win would secure the final play-off position in the Pitching Northern Premier Midlands division.

A draw or even defeat still could have seen Belper hold on to fifth place if Carlton Town didn’t win their match against Stamford on the same day.

Belper made a bright start to the match, and Sam Wright’s shot was well-saved by Ben Heath. Soon after Sam Muggleton’s long throw created a chance for Brodie Litchfield. The midfielder’s shot was deflected wide leading to a corner that Danny South headed over. Ben Rhodes also headed over from a corner minutes later.

The hosts were presented with a warning sign when Corby striker Sam Moore headed the ball into the net from a Apindia Kamy Gille cross, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

Belper continued to control the match but failed to further work Heath in the Corby goal. The game became scrappy with the ball spending a lot of time in the air and not on the playing surface.

Litchfield, a bright spark for the Nailers, showed some neat footwork on the left-wing to make room for a curling effort 25 yards out from goal, which unfortunately went well over the bar.

Corby were proving tough to break down, but the Nailers finally broke the deadlock just before half-time. Muggleton delivered a deep cross to Riece Bertram who set up Derry Robson to fire into the top corner of the net to make it 1-0 to the Nailers in the 42nd minute.

The visitors threatened an equaliser early in the second half. Connor Furey, in acres of space, had a shot heroically blocked inside the penalty area by Muggleton. From the resulting corner the ball sat up nicely for Sam Moore to strike, but he blazed wide.

Nerves were settled on 62 minutes when Muggleton’s long throw was flicked onto the back post where Tom Wilson was waiting to volley home, for goal number two of the afternoon for Belper.

A third nearly arrived moments later when substitute Reon Benjamin Potts turned home a corner from close range, but the referee had blown for a foul in the build-up.

The Steelmen did not give up in pursuit of a goal. Lewis Gwilliams tipped wide a Furey shot before comfortably gathering Elliot Sandy’s long-range effort.

Belper threatened again from a long throw provided by Muggleton. Alex Peterson chested the ball down in the box and cleverly backheeled it to Litchfield. His ball across the box found Todd Jordan; Jordan’s shot was cleared off the line by a defender. The ball then came out to South whose curling effort went narrowly over.

A 2-0 victory was enough to seal a play-off spot which means Belper will play Stamford away on Tuesday evening in the play-off semi-final. The winner of that match will play either Halesowen Town or Chasetown in the play-off final.

A massive congratulations to everyone associated with the Nailers for a terrific season.

Belper Town: Gwilliams, Rhodes, Muggleton, Wilson, South, Jordan, Robson, Wright (Benjamin-Potts 54), Bertram (Peterson 69), Litchfield, Dixon (Curtis 76). Unused subs: Brown, Woodcock.

Corby Town: Heath, Benjamin, Gille, Curtis, White, Sandy, Gee, Clifton, Moore, O’Brien (Taylor 45), Furey. Unused subs: Kuspert, Kennedy, Brittain, Grubor.

Attendance: 741

Referee: Wayne Cooper