There was an element of déjà vu not just about the result - with the Nailers having won the reverse fixture by the same scoreline - but also the way things started.

Back in September Alice Faulding opened the scoring against Ashbourne within two minutes. This time it didn't even take her that long, with Belper's top scorer finishing calmly after being put through by Hannah Dutton inside 30 seconds.

It was a dream start for the visitors but one on which they couldn't capitalise and the hosts slowly grew in to the game, applying pressure immediately after falling behind.

Despite that it was still Belper who created the next couple of chances, on 17 minutes Shannon Worrall created space for herself after winning the ball back 25 yards from goal, her shot was just wide and then within a minute Dutton had her own shot from range saved by Sophie Redfern.

In the 22nd minute, Ashbourne fired a warning to the Nailers defence when a free kick was swung in from the right, former Belper player Emma Wood got her head to it and the ball crashed off the crossbar.

The 28th minute saw Ashbourne level. Another free kick, this time from midway inside the Belper half which saw Beck Lee stick out a leg and see her volley, either by luck or judgement, fly past Emma Varnam. Faulding with the opener, Lee with the equaliser, you could be forgiven for thinking you were re-watching the early season encounter at Belper.

The second half started the same way as the first, a goal within a minute of the restart. Unfortunately this time it went the way of Ashbourne, with Julie Lee giving them the lead with a lofted finish from the right hand side of the penalty area.

They stretched their lead on 49 minutes when Ruth Etches produced a carbon copy finish to Lee which Varnam couldn't keep out and Belper found themselves 3-1 down.

In the 56th minute only a Nancy Frostick goal line clearance kept Belper in the game, Ashbourne were enjoying the better of this period but the final half an hour would be dominated by Belper.

India Amans saw her close range shot saved in the 65th minute and before Ashbourne could complete their clearance, Sammy Bennett won back possession and fired in a shot from range as Belper knocked on the door.

They finally found a way through a minute later when Amans pounced to slot home from close range and try to set up a grandstand finish.

It wasn't to be however, the closest the Nailers would get despite dominating possession was from a Sarah Roberts cross from the right hand side which found Anna Macluskey but her shot was over the bar.

So Ashbourne got their revenge from the Raygar Stadium encounter and manager Dom Anderson had this to say at full time: "We just weren't up to our high standards today. We let things we can't control shape our performance. The challenge for this team now is to prove that was a blip and show the character to come back and raise their game next week against rivals Pride Park".

Defeat means Belper are 7th in the Derbyshire Girls & Ladies League Division One approaching the halfway point. Ashbourne's second victory of the season moves them to within four points of the Nailers.

Belper Town: Varnam, Powles, Roberts, Layton, Pickard, Carnelley, Dutton, Needham, Worrall, Thompson, Faulding.
Subs: Amans, Bennett, Frostick, Jackson, Macluskey.

Referee: Adam Hitchcock

The next fixture away to Pride Park Ladies FC takes place at Moorways Stadium on Sunday 14th January, kicking off at 1.30pm.