Regan Edridge arrives at the back post to score the Nailers equalising goal (Photo: Tim Harrison)

This highly anticipated game saw a healthy crowd of 280 supporters with an array of new flags amongst the home fans to wave on their side.

Manager Peter Duffield began with the experience of Mark Ward and Jon Froggatt upfront, with two attacking wide men in Aaron Cole and Rob Stevenson starting on the right and left flanks respectively.

Perhaps expectedly, it was Ashton United who took the lead through a quick corner kick from the left hand side after just nine minutes.

Midfield dynamo Chris Baguley took a quick short corner to Kayde Coppin who played the second ball back to Baguley to the angle of the penalty area. Baguley then curled in the shot first time which was struck well and later deflected by a head, which saw the flight of the ball rise over keeper James Martin into the top corner.

The Nailers then had their first genuine chance to equalise after 13 minutes.

A good move down the left hand side between Ian Ross and Rob Stevenson resulted in a Stevenson cross which was headed out to the edge by Ashley Young. The ball then fell for Steve Warne who bought the ball down and fired a shot which landed scraped the left hand post, with goalkeeper Paul Phillips beaten.

Then, two minutes later the Nailers found themselves two goals down. Richard Bennett fired a brilliant half volley from inside the box which was saved well by Martin. The ball then came out to Coppin on the left hand side who crossed the ball to the back post towards Bennett again, who this time headed the ball across goal and into the far corner to double the lead for United.

Aaron Cole then began to find his feet as he started to torment his fullback.

Cole created two good opportunities from the right hand side, beating his man for skill and pace and delivering inch perfect crosses for both Mark Ward and Rob Stevenson, who both saw their headers land comfortably into the goalkeepers’ arms.

Jon Froggatt then had two half chances from the edge of the box.

The first, a curling effort which was held well by the back-pedalling ‘keeper, and the second a half volley on the spin which landed high and wide of the goal.

James Martin then made a good save just before the interval as Bennett drilled in another header towards the corner, with Martin plunging to keep hold of the ball.

The second half saw a swing in the pendulum, with an inspired Kieran Wells coming off the bench to change the game for the better.

The Nailers got their first goal after 63 minutes after a wonderful move involving Rob Stevenson and Aaron Cole.

Stevenson picked the ball up on the left and cut inside, beating two players. Then, faking the shot, Stevenson chipped the ball delightfully in to Aaron Cole on the right inside the area, who in turn drilled a half volleyed cross across the face of the goal where Kieran Wells was there to glance in the header into an empty net.

Wells was at it again minutes later after Cole hooked the ball through where Wells battled against the defender, getting the better of Jack Higgins and firing a good shot towards goal which was blocked well by Phillips.

Then, after 69 minutes, the Nailers got their much deserved equaliser.

A foul on the left hand side won Belper a free kick in a good crossing position. Ian Ross was on duty, crossing the ball in for Froggatt who glanced the header on, and Regan Edridge arrived at the back post to nod in the Nailers second goal, much to the delight of the home fans.

Edridge soon had another header drift just over the bar, and two more Kieran Wells chances came close to earning the Nailers all three points.

The first, a ball played through on goal for Wells who motored away from the defender, only to struggle to get the ball under his control, and saw his attempted chip saved well by Phillips.

Then, a brilliant run by Stevenson beating two men down the outside and getting to the by-line, saw the number 11 pull the cross back in to Wells who took a touch and saw a low shot blocked well by the defender to take the sting out of the strike.

Belper Town: James Martin, Reece Lucas (Simon Harrison 26), Chris Jones, Ian Ross, Regan Edridge, Dan White, Aaron Cole (Colin Marrison 77), Steve Warne, Jon Froggatt, Mark Ward (Kieran Wells 54), Rob Stevenson. Subs: Bill Bennett, Scott Low.

Ashton United: Paul Phillips, Cavell Coo, Greg Pearson, Jason Gorton, Jack Higgins, Ashley Young, Gary Gee, Chris Baguley (Matthew Chadwick 73), Martin Pilkington (Bradley Robinson 66), Richard Bennett, Kayde Coppin (Martin Hill 82). Subs: Jacob Hazel, Connor Roberts-Nurse.

Referee: Robbie Dadley (Bedworth)

Attendance: 280