Belper made the first in-roads towards the Scholars goal inside the first ten minutes, earning a free-kick just outside the penalty area, though nothing came from it.

The hosts registered their first effort on target in the 12th minute as Danny O’Callaghan warmed Lewis Gwilliams’ gloves from just outside the penalty area.

The Nailers’ Danny South saw yellow for a late challenge on Chase striker Joey Butlin, but Mr Taylor had already blown for a Belper free-kick so the visitors had the chance to clear.

Just before the midway point, Chase leading goalscorer Jack Langston put a header just wide of the post from Butlin’s cross.

The game was halted for over five minutes as medical staff were called to a supporter who required immediate assistance.

When the game resumed, Belper’s South almost forced an error from Ryan Wynter, but the loose ball ran through to keeper Curtis Pond.

The first half entered eight minutes of stoppage time and skipper O’Callaghan curled an effort wide of Gwilliams’ upright.

Alex Melbourne, playing advanced of his normal right-back berth, forced a corner before the break with a low drive that deflected off a Belper boot.

Half time: Chasetown 0 Belper Town 0

The Nailers took the lead four minutes into the second half. A cross from the right to the far post from Brodie Litchfield was headed home by an unmarked Riece Bertram.

Chasetown were quick to get back on the attack and Gwilliams was at full stretch to pluck a cross from Butlin out of the air before O’Callaghan could head goalwards.

On 69, Gwilliams was forced low to right, to push a low Langston shot wide of the post, before taking an easy catch from Wynter following the resultant corner.

Substitute Kyle Perry almost linked up with Butlin, but imperious defending from South kept the back door locked on the Chasetown forwards.

Prince Macinelli threatened the Scholars goal on the counter attack as the game entered the last ten minutes but, after initially outpacing Josh Mansell, the full-back recovered to clear the danger.

Wynter was crowded out as he tried to get on the edge of an Oli Hayward as the hosts pushed for the equaliser.

The Scholars sent up goalkeeper Pond and he got caught upfield as Mansell cleared from Woodcock as they raced towards an open goal.
Chasetown thought they had scored a dramatic equaliser as substitute Dilano Reid’s low shot fizzed past Gwilliams but South cleared off the line to claims from the home fans who were convinced the ball had crossed the line.

The final whistle blew and Derbyshire had their second promoted side, joining Ilkeston in the Premier Division.

Chasetown (4-1-4-1): Pond; Mansell, Evans, Cox, Wynter, Hayward, Melbourne (Reid 67), Langston, Butlin, O’Callaghan, Lund (Perry 75).

Subs not used: McGinnell, Burroughs, Cunningham

Belper Town (4-4-2): Gwilliams; Rhodes, Muggleton (Woodcock 60), Wilson, South, Jordan, Robson, Mancinelli, Bertram (Peterson 65), Litchfield, Dixon (Curtis 84)

Subs not used: Wright, Benjamin-Potts

Chasetown Assistant Manager Jamie Hawkins said at full-time: “We weren’t at our bets today and we’re naturally disappointed. The lads gave us everything they had and put a shift in. We had a bit of luck in the week at Halesowen but didn’t get the luck we needed (with the shot that may have been over the line).

“But we have reminded the lads what we have achieved this season. The town, the community and the club have an identity again – our highest ever attendance today, the highest average attendance over the season (of 600).

“All credit to Belper. They defended well and when they got the goal made it hard to break them down.

“But, this is the start of our journey again as Chasetown FC.”

Belper assistant Mick Norbury said: “When we were beaten by Carlton and had a few injuries, we thought that maybe we weren’t going to get into the play-offs.

“We knew we were underdogs here today having lost to Chasetown twice this season, just as we were underdogs at Stamford.

“I think the other teams hoped they would draw us in the play-offs, so we had something to prove.

“The lads run through brick walls for us and we have that never say die attitude to get us to the victory today.

“We were written off, but these boys don’t know how to be beaten.”

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