Harrowby United lose to Belper United in the United Counties League

Missed chances cost Harrowby United in their two-goal home defeat against Belper United on Saturday.

The Arrows had enough chances in both halves to have won three games but Belper's clinical finishing was the difference on the day in the United Counties League Premier Division North clash.

Despite having players still missing, Harrowby dominated the game and had fourth-placed Belper on the back foot for most of it.

Home goalkeeper Jake Frestle was rarely troubled and the chances came for the Arrows.

Jon Smith had two good opportunities before Harrowby thought they had taken the lead when Rueban Nwadike headed home but a linesman's flag for Elliot King being offside in front of the keeper kept the scores level.

Harrowby thought they had taken the lead again as King won the ball off a Belper player and chipped it over the keeper into the net but the referee pulled it back for a soft free kick.

The second half kicked off in much the same way with the Arrows on the front foot as Smith missed a one-on-one and the impressive Jack Gurney hit the bar.

In what looked like being one of those days for the Arrows, Belper took the lead as a miss-hit clearance was played back for Terry Atem to run onto and slot it past Frestle in the Harrowby goal.

Belper then went further on the defensive but still the Arrows created chances with Brima Daramy just failing to connect with a header while Smith shot wide when well placed.

With time now running out, Harrowby were sucker-punched while pushing for the equaliser and Belper made it 2-0 in injury-time through Alex Steadman.

Harrowby played well but missed chances came back to haunt them like it did in the previous game at Newark.

They face a tough-looking trip to Skegness Town on Saturday.