Doodson test for Froggatt

Belper manager Peter Duffield is looking forward to seeing his own striker Jon Froggatt back in action in the Doodson Sport Cup at Ossett Town on Tuesday night.

Froggat should start for the first time this season in the First Round tie and Duffield says he's timed his return well to prepare for Evo-Stik NPL First Division action on Saturday when Halesowen Town visit Christchurch Meadow.

Duffield said: "It’s an ideal opportunity for Jon to improve his match fitness. He’s played for 20 minutes or so in the last few games and it’s time to start him in a game and give him 60 minutes or so. I will be using the tie to give run outs to squad members who haven’t had the opportunity show what they can do."

The Nailers manager blamed another frontman, Stamford's four goal hero Ricky Miller, and the match officials on Saturday, for his side's 4-1 defeat at the Daniels.

Miller struck with a brace either side of the break on a wet and miserable afternoon, leaving Belper looking distinctly second best as they struggled to make an impact.

Duffield said: "Miller was the difference between the two teams. He was alive to every opportunity and took his goals very well even though we helped him with a couple of them along the way."

The Nailers started the game well and were the better side until Stamford scored their opening goal against the run of play and acciording to Duffield the aid of the referee.

"It was a poor decision by the referee to give a handball decision against Greg Wright," said Duffield. "He took no account of the conditions and circumstances but we were slow to cover the free kick and Miller got in front of the defenders and headed home.

"Their second was a calamity as far as I was concerned. Richard Adams headed straight to Miller and he just struck it first time and suddenly we were two goals down without having deserved it."

Duffield admitted that he missed Karl Colley, Colin Marrison and Shaun Tuton more than he thought he would, and Tuton’s absence was probably the player missed most.

Duffield added: "His pace an opportunism would have been invaluable on that pitch. He would have provided the spark that Miller did for Stamford, although Mark Ward showed opportunism in getting the goal just before half time but it was the only time we really gambled on anything."

Richard Adams’ sending off effectively ended any hopes Belper had and Duffield wasn’t happy with the referee’s decision. "Addo took the ball cleanly as far as I’m concerned," said Duffield,"but the conditions made his challenge look far worse because he slid on the muddy surface for a couple of yards. Again, it was a case of the referee not allowing for the conditions and we will now lose him for three games which is unfair in my opinion."