Carlton Town lost at home yet again as Belper Town won 3-1 at Stoke Lane.
The Millers suffered a sixth home defeat in eight games and find themselves out of the relegation zone on goal difference only after a seventh match without a win.
These are worrying times at Stoke Lane with a drastic improvement required if the club is to maintain its step 4 status.
Carlton began reasonably well and some good interplay between Hutchinson and Aaron Opoku led to Henry Rollinson feeding Oliver Clark, whose fierce shot was deflected over the bar.
At the other end George Milner fired wide after a good run and cross by Piteu Crouz.
The warning signs were there for Carlton on 17 minutes when they failed to clear a cross. The ball was played to Derry Robson who put a great chance wide of target.
They failed to heed it and when a free kick was only half cleared on 26 minutes, George Milner showed greatest desire and forced the ball home at the second attempt.
Belper took control and Gordon twice went close, lifting the ball over the bar on 33 minutes and shooting wide a minute later.
Carlton’s best chance fell to Ben Hutchinson shortly before half time. Aaron Opoku ran into the area and when the ball was played to Henry Rollinson, he squared to Hutchinson who lifted the ball over the bar from a good position.
Connor Bartle had to go off injured just before half time, replaced by James Frost.
The Nailers started the second half on the front foot and Luke Smithson did well to head a Nathan Curtis effort off the line.
Smithson then crossed for Clark to head at goal with Lee Overton making a decent save.
Hutchinson then delivered a free kick to the back post. It was missed by everyone and hit the post. The loose ball fell to Riece Bertram who crossed for Opoku but the striker couldn’t get the ball from under his feet and the chance was cleared.
Craig Nelthorpe then fired wide for Belper after a series of attacks from the visitors.
They doubled their lead on 74 minutes. A Jack Steggles clearance went straight to Crouz. He ran 40 yards unchallenged before feeding Curtis who fired low into the corner.
Carlton tried to respond and Hutchinson headed wide from a Niall Davie cross but the visitors sealed their win with three minutes remaining. Steggles brought down Crouz and it was Crouz himself who converted the penalty.
Carlton grabbed a consolation within 60 seconds when Kyle Stovell did well to win a header and flick to Opoku, who turned neatly inside Danny South and rifled an angled drive into the corner of the net. In truth it was too little too late.
