By contrast Lee Casswell's side looked fragile at the back with a defence lacking skipper Darren Tinson, Aden Johnson and Ricky Bridge all missing through injury.

Blues nearly took the lead in the opening minute but Ben Nixon's shot was well saved by Chapman in the Belper goal.

It wasn't long before the visitors were in front as Mark Ward headed in a right wing cross in the 10th minute to put the Nailers in front.

They doubled their lead in spectacular style just before the half hour when Glyn Cotton netted with a magnificent long range volley which gave Joe McCormack no chance.

There was controversy in the 37th minute when Anthony Danylyk and Chris Adam tangled following a challenge. To everyone's amazement the referee showed both players a straight red card, when a talking to or a yellow card each would surely have sufficed.

After the break, Leek had more of the possession without really threatening to score too often. George Ray's 56th minute header from a corner was cleared off the line and Tim Sanders had a curling effort well saved but there was little else of note.

Belper stretched their lead in the 79th minute when Jon Frogatt's cross-shot from the right wing crept in at the far post.

Leek may have been missing a few players but this was still a massively disappointing result and performance and they will have to do considerably better with tough matches against Ilkeston and Sheffield to come this week.

Team:

1. Joe McCormack
2. Tim Sanders
3. Nathan Bullock
4. Oliver Edwards (12. Christian Millar, 45)
5. Glyn Mellor
6. George Ray
7. Tim Grice (14. Dan Cope, 76)
8. Ben Nixon
9. Matt Haddrell (15. Sean Turner, 89)
10. Anthony Danylyk
11. Ashley Woolliscroft

Unused Sub: 16. Ricky Bridge

Yellow cards: Ben Nixon, Oliver Edwards, Matt Haddrell

Red cards: Anthony Danylyk

Attendance: 294