Stamford Belvedere are crowned Division One champions in the Peterborough and District League

Stamford Bels are toasting a title triumph after being crowned Peterborough League Division One champions.

The Stamford side collected the point required to move into an unassailable position at the top of the table with four games remaining following a 1-1 draw at Whaplode Drove Rovers on Saturday.

It was the first time this season that Bels had dropped points in an all-conquering campaign after the club had taken a voluntary demotion at the end of last term.

The relegation has allowed Bels to rebuild after a tough end to last season with a number of former and new players joining the club.

Kieron Duffy-Weekes and Jordan Neil have both played pivotal roles after returning to the Bels ranks following higher level spells.

The withdrawal of Oundle Town and Bourne Town Reserves pulling out of the United Counties League in the close season also boosted Bels with the acquisitions of Callum Willimont, Fin Sewell and Harrison Mcloughlin.

They made the tricky trip to Whaplode on Saturday buoyed by a victory over title rivals Netherton United the previous weekend.

Bels created two good chances in the opening stages with Neil dragging a good chance wide after Alfie Winters had won possession on the edge in the area inside the first minute.

Neil was then denied by a smart stop from Rovers goalkeeper Donatas Motuzis before the hosts started to come more into the contest.

Whaplode's side was packed with plenty of higher level experience, including Avi Vieira and Adam Richardson, while Josh Raven and Steve Jucikas have both been recruited following the withdrawal from the league of Deeping United.

Raven flashed a shot wide after a strong run before the hosts hit the front in the 14th minute.

Bels goalkeeper Keenan Murphy made a great save at the feet of Vieira and, although the visitors blocked the ensuing follow-up, Jucikas swept home the rebound.

Jacob Smith went close to bringing Bels back on level terms with a header from a corner before producing a fine tackle at the other end to prevent Jucikas from breaking clear.

Ryan Ellwood sent an effort just wide for Whaplode before Bels finished the half strongly.

Winters and Neil were both denied by saves from Motuzis while Scott Toomey saw a close range effort blocked.

The equaliser looked on the cards and it duly arrived in first half stoppage time.

Neil's free-kick had been initially blocked by the Whaplode wall but the ball rebounded to the Bels play-maker who centred it for Dave Atkinson to turn smartly and steer his finish into the bottom corner of the net.

Whaplode were probably grateful for the half-time whistle that sounded shortly after as the two sides continued to trade chances after the break.

Willimont was just wide with a header from a Winters corner while Murphy did well to repel a near post shot from Richardson at the other end.

Mcloughlin thought he had given Bels the lead with 14 minutes remaining only for the head of goalkeeper Motuzis to somehow keep out his goalbound shot.

Willimont made a great block to thwart a sweet strike from Richardson as the match moved into the final stages with Bels still in possession of the point they needed to take the title.

They could have wrapped up the win in the final minute of the contest when Winters muscled his way into creating an opening but Motuzis again came to Whaplode's rescue by saving the shot as the honours finished even before the title celebrations could begin.