The centre back pairing that was part of a defensive unit that recorded three clean sheets last month was not available for Sunday’s game against the League leaders, so leading scorer Beth Jones was drafted back into defence, with Rachel Weaver - making her 50th appearance for Pride Park - moving to the centre from left back, and right back Izzy Wilsoncroft filling in on the left, with Sophie Roberts continuing at right back.

Pride made a blistering start to the game, creating two chances in the first minute. Then, as Belper attempted to play out from the back, Ella Kew won the ball back, combining with Summer Evans before playing the ball across for Steph Eadon - she cut inside the defender and fired low across the goalkeeper into the far corner to put Pride a goal to the good with only two minutes played.

Summer Evans also had a shot saved before Tash Allderidge won the ball back in midfield and played a short pass to Eliot Sayavong, who turned and slotted a pass through for Summer Evans and this time she finished to make it 2-0 after 8 minutes.

Belper started to come into the game and Izzy Wilsoncroft did well to track the striker’s run, hold up the break and win the ball. However, Belper pulled a goal back after 17 mins but there was almost a perfect response five minutes later; Hannah Kwiatek played up to Steph Eadon and she turned inside the defender and hit a low cross/shot across goal - eluding Summer Evans’ lunge and going agonisingly wide of the far post.

Pride could have had four goals by this stage, but were caught at the back after 25 minutes by a ball over the top into space. Izzy Wilsoncroft in trying to get back was unfortunate to catch the striker’s heel - a straightforward decision for the Referee and from the penalty spot Belper equalised.

There was a blow for Pride five minutes later when Steph Eadon pulled up with a hamstring injury, but still had the presence of mind to divert a pass from Tash into the path of Summer Evans but she pulled her shot wide. Midfielder Fran Critchley-Watson came on for Steph to join Summer Evans in attack.

The final fifteen minutes of the half was largely fought out between the two penalty boxes, although both sides fashioned a couple of chances - for Pride Park Fran Critchley-Watson headed wide from a free-kick and as the half ended Ella Kew had a shot saved.

HT 2-2

Belper started the second half quickly and were ahead within a minute of the restart.

Ten minutes minutes later Summer Evans was through on goal and from just inside the penalty area her shot was blocked by the goalkeeper and, as she released her shot, was brought down by a defender leaning and falling into into the back of her. The referee was right on the spot and had appeared to be about to award the penalty but surprisingly had second thoughts and allowed play to continue.

The scores were level again after 65 minutes when Millie Holmes carried the ball down the right before her low cross evaded everyone to find Ella Kew at the far post, and she placed her shot wide of the goalkeeper and inside the post to make it 3-3.

Three minutes later, after Tash Allderidge’s corner was cleared, Pride retained possession well before Eliot Sayavong put Beth Jones through and as the goalkeeper came out to narrow the angle Beth lifted a first time curving shot into the far corner.

Belper almost struck back straightaway when a free kick into the area deflected first off Tash Allderidge then Sophie Roberts but Jade Howell showed good reactions to turn the ball round the post.

With ten minutes to play a Beth Jones free kick was hit behind the defensive line and met by Summer Evans at the far post and steered wide of the keeper. Although Summer timed her run perfectly the goal was, frustratingly, ruled out for an offside flag.

With a couple of minutes of normal time left, Belper broke forward and at the second attempt the striker was put through but play was brought back for offside. Pride saw out the two minutes of time added on for a hard fought deserved win.

In difficult conditions it was a day for sleeves rolled up and hard graft rather than sleek football but there were, nevertheless, passages of good, intelligent play and Pride showed character, determination and resilience to come back from a goal down after losing a two goal lead. There were strong performances all round in a good team performance but the players playing out of position, notably Rachel Weaver, Izzy Wilsoncroft and Fran Critchley-Watson deserve particular credit for sticking to the task.

Pride return to Moorways next week for the final game of the year, when they meet Wirksworth Colts in the Challenge Cup quarter-final (ko 1.30pm)