Alex Steadman hat-trick helps Belper Town knock holders Matlock Town out of Derbyshire Senior Cup

The Nailers advanced to the quarter-finals after a Steadman hat-rick and one from substitute Evan Garnett sealed a 4-2 win.

Matlock had started well and went ahead through Craig Nelthorpe after three minutes when he took advantage of a loose ball from Eric Graves.

The Nailers equalised thanks to some great work from Rob Stevenson, who picked the ball up deep in Matlock’s half and drove forward.

He slipped Steadman in who drilled the ball low past Gladiator’s ‘keeper Ryan Pugh.

Steadman got his second on the stroke of half-time when he bundled home after Phil Watt had headed Jonathan Williams’ free-kick onto the bar.

Joel Purkiss got Matlock back on level terms five minutes into the second half when he smahed home after his original header was brilliantly kept out by debutant Charlie Mansfield.

Belper withstood some heavy pressure and caught Matlock out on the counter to win a penalty when Stevenson beat his man down the left wing and was fouled as he drove into the box.

Steadman stepped up and sent the ‘keeper the wrong way to complete his hat-trick.

The win was then seured in the final minutes when Garnett’s shot was deflefted to wrong-foot the Matlock goalkeeper.

Belper Town: Mansfield, Shaw (Kabanje 72 mins), Cole, Williams, Parker, Watt, Stevenson (Johnson 85 mins), Graves, Steadman, Constable (Garnett 69 mins), Shannon-Lewis.

Unused subs: Garnett, Watkis, Kabanje, Johnson.

Matlock Town: Pugh, Laister, Algar, Travis, Yates, Peterson, Cribley, Needham, Purkiss, Siddall (McManus 72 mins), Nelthorpe.

Unused subs: Maxfield, Wilkinson, Lavelle.

Attendance: 187.

Referee: Nicholas Hopton (Derby).