The match started fairly slowly but the second half more than made up for it with plenty of entertaining play with the Scholars enjoying plenty of chances in a well-organised display.

Ramone Stephens impressed throughout for the visitors and he set up John Branch in the eighth minute but no-one could provide the finishing touch for his cross, and the midfielder was involved again as his 15th-minute cross was headed to keeper Adam Ogden by Ben Jevons.

Chances were few in the first half and the Nailers’ first attack did not come until the 26th minute when Tom Naylor’s shot was blocked by Chase keeper Ryan Price, but the Scholars struck back and went ahead on 40 minutes when GARY HAY tapped a Gavin Saunders free kick home at the far post.

Chasetown were on the attack right from the whistle in the second half with Grant Ryan the first to go close as his 25-yard shot was saved by Ogden before the striker headed a Saunders free kick wide.

It was third time lucky for RYAN on 52 minutes as he was played in by Stephens and side stepped a defender before firing the ball to Ogden’s right for an excellent goal to double the Scholars’ lead.

Saunders and Hay both continued to show fine form, the former sending a left-footed drive at Ogden and Hay latching onto a bouncing ball but Richard Adams was able to clear.

Belper tried to regroup and Lee Stevenson and substitute Ryan Hindley both fired over the bar, before Hay struck back and it was once again Adams who halted his effort. The Nailers tried to find a revival, but the Scholars proved the stronger side in the closing minutes for a deserved victory.

One notable feature of the teamsheet was the inclusion of Dean Perrow in the first team squad for the first time since his injury in August 2009, and while he did not feature on the pitch his comeback cannot be far away.

Belper: Ogden, Colliver (c), Barnard, Naylor, Adams, Haigh, Froggatt, Telling, Oliver, Stevenson, Rushbury. Subs: Fedorenko, Hindley (Rushbury 55), Harcourt, Warren (Froggatt 67), Pride.

Chasetown: Price, J Branch, M Branch, Slater, Thomas, Saunders, Stephens, Egan (c), Hay, Ryan, Jevons. Subs: Smith (Ryan 74), Anslow (Stephens 88), Perrow, Miller, Horler (Jevons 79).

Goals: Hay 40, Ryan 52.

Referee: Mr A Tankard.

Attendance: 263.

Man of the Match: Saunders (Chasetown)