Neil Baker had to shuffle his pack with a number of players still unavailable but it gave the Blues’ boss the chance to rune the rule over remainder of his squad.
Stevenson broke the deadlock on 25 minutes with a shot that deceived the keeper on its way into the net and Leek increased their lead five minutes from the break with superb free kick by Trickett-Smith that gave the keeper no chance.
Eight minutes into the second half Blues increased their lead with Trickett-Smith converting a penalty but two minutes later the Nailers pulled one back with a neat shot from Rikki Paylor.
However, Leek restored their three goal advantage on 57 minutes when Stevenson capitalised on a mistake in the Belper defence to score his second of the game against his former club.
The home side didn't give up and pulled another back through Arton Davies on 65 minutes.
After the game Baker said, “It wasn’t a great game but the lads competed well on a difficult surface”.
Team: Chapman, Green, Walford, Grocott, Lycett, Chadwick, Maguire, Brazer, Blake, Trickett-Smith, Stevenson. Subs; Bavanganga, Bailey, Herd, Reid
Updated 14:20 - 30 Aug 2019 by Jonathan Eeles
# | Team | Pl | Pts |
1. | Leek Town | 32 | 71 |
2. | Prescot Cables | 32 | 58 |
3. | Runcorn Linnets | 32 | 56 |
4. | Bootle | 32 | 55 |
5. | City of Liverpool FC | 32 | 50 |
6. | Witton Albion | 32 | 50 |
7. | Clitheroe | 32 | 48 |
8. | Nantwich Town | 32 | 47 |