Tough replay nailed on

Nailers manager Peter Duffield has warned his players that he expects their FA Cup replay with Ilkeston on Tuesday to be even tougher that Saturday’s 2-2 draw, writes Nigel Oldrini.

Belper Town host Evo-Stik NPL Premier Ilkeston at Christchurch Park with Gresley Rovers awaiting in the Third Qualifying Round after Monday’s FA Cup draw.

Evo-Stik NPL First Division South manager Duffield said: "I can't see Tuesday's game being much different. Both sides are very honest and we will have to work extremely hard to progress to the next round.

"We have done well in recent weeks and with only a young side we will get better with experience, but occasionally, as happened on Saturday we tend to lapse into spells where we give the ball away too cheaply. On the other hand we are just as capable of stringing passes together and causing problems at the other end."

Belper Town clinched the hard won replay at the New Manor Ground after taking an early lead before succumbing to two breakaway strikes from former Belper forward Darryl Thomas.

The Nailers recovered thanks to a powerful header from Ashley Longstaff which set up a pulsating final 20 minutes and Duffield added: "Although we had to defend in depth at times we could easily have won the game in that last ten minutes.

"After we went 2-1 down Ilkeston were looking the better side and they will certainly be disappointed they couldn’t go on and finish the game. However, we showed great character to get back into it and we deserved a second chance.

"All the credit should go to the players. We made changes after they scored their second goal and there was an immediate improvement which changed the outcome of the game. We were asking most of the questions in the latter stages."

After Ilkeston Duffield's side take on Leamington Saturday in the FA Trophy. Belper's opponents will arrive at the 'Meadow' unbeaten in the league this season and sitting proudly on the top of the Evo-Stik Southern Premier Division.

They are likely to provide a stern test despite losing their 20 game unbeaten record in all competitions on Saturday when Corby Town knocked them out of the FA Cup.

*Belper’s reserve side had a resounding 4-0 success over Heanor Town Reserves at Christchurch Meadow last Saturday and are next in action on Saturday when they travel to Dinnington Town Reserves.