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The Boxing Day spoils were shared at the Home of Football, as Sheffield FC and Belper Town battled out an entertaining draw, finishing 1-1 in front of the season’s biggest attendance.

Despite having all the early pressure and forcing a series of corners and chances, the hosts fell behind in the 17th minute, as Kevin Bastos provided the cross to Danny South at the back post who unselfishly squared it to Brodie Litchfield in the middle to tap home.

Ex-Belper star Cameron Johnson was proving to be the expected thorn in his former team’s side, and he went close to levelling with an excellent free kick that left keeper Dan Moore flailing, only to see the ball rattle the bar.

That equaliser came on 37 minutes, a free kick from deep in the Sheffield half from Edd Hall was met by Luke Mangham’s towering header, that in turn steered the ball to Cam Johnson who tucked the ball home from the edge of the area.

The second half made for good spectating, although very few clear chances were produced by either side, and it wasn’t until substitute Benni Ndlovu received his marching orders for two quick yellow cards that anything other than the draw was in doubt.

Belper tried to push for a late winner with the man advantage, however they were met by a sturdy defence and an inspired Edd Hall that kept the Nailers at bay, with the 1-1 scoreline probably the fairest outcome.

Sheffield FC: Hall, Greenhouse, Wilson, Yates, Watson, Beatson, Cribley. Cutts, Mangham, Johnson, Modest (Ndlovu 67’) Unused subs: Newsham, Coleman, Noble, Roney.

Belper Town: Moore, Ashman, Rhodes, Atcha, South, Watt, Litchfield, Burrows, Goodson (Gbehe 90’), Warren, Bastos. Unused subs: Cadman, Walker, Gregory, Austin.

Referee: Connor Everard

Attendance: 634