Top of the League Belper hit back late on to earn a vital point against Mossley Academy at Christchurch Meadow on Wednesday.

There seemed a bit of nerves around the place as the Lillywhites Academy arrived to play top of the league and with Belper being on top for the opening 20 minutes. This was rewarded when the ball was crossed in from a free kick for the Sam Weston to rise above the Mossley players and head home 1-0.

Then It was all Mossley as they pressured for a goal and with two penalty shouts waved away by the ref it looked like the Lilywhites wouldn't score but then the ball came to Prince Owusu who made his way into the box rounded the keeper and made it 1-1 before half time.

Second half and Mossley started the brighter side but play was stopped due to the referee getting injured having to be replaced by the linesman.

Play got under way again and Beckham Adelaje tapped home which would of been Mossley’s second of the day but the flag was up.

Belper were on the back foot for most of the second half but when they had a corner they took it well and smashed home a goal only to see that the flag was up again, still 1-1 with both teams having a goal disallowed.

A Mossley long ball over the Belper centre back came to Antonio Din Chin who made it 2-1 to Mossley.

Then Belper got back into the game when the referee gave a penalty when it seemed the Belper player slipped. Up stepped Josh Bullock who made it 2-2 from the spot, game on.
Mossley weren't finished though as they went again and Din Chin made it 3-2 with a cool low finish to put the Lilywhites ahead again.

With a few minutes left the Academy nearly held on when Belper’s Dan Watson brought the ball down with his hand and put it in to the bottom corner. The referee gave the goal and the Academy were hard done by.

But it was a great performance from the lads as the hold league leaders Belper Town to a 3-3 draw away from home.

Report by Curtis Norris