Second placed East Grinstead were beaten 4-3 by National League division two leaders Belper in a terrific clash at Saint Hill on Sunday.

Since their first meeting in September when Grinstead won 5-3, Belper have been almost unstoppable, winning nine and drawing one, while scoring more than 50 goals and conceding just five.

This was Grinstead's first match for more than a month as the indoor league had taken priority.

They found their rhythm immediately, winning a corner which Ben Payne converted with just three minutes played.

Belper are not the highest scoring side in the league for nothing and within five minutes they had clinically punished Grinstead errors at the back to go 2-1 ahead with goals from Craig Keegan and Mark Lamb.

Grinstead held their nerve, though, gradually becoming more confident but Belper, organised in defence and devastating on the break, were always a threat.

The fast passing and running which had characterised the first half of Grinstead's season caused the Belper defence more problems and it was no surprise when Richard Payne made it 2-2 with a penalty after Duncan Howarth had been crudely fouled in the D.

Parity did not last long and Belper were in front again just before half time when Nick Morris converted a simple chance to make it 3-2.

In the second half, Grinstead learned from their mistakes and were more patient in their build-up while nullifying the threat posed by Belper's right flank more effectively.

The skills of Howarth, Ben Payne and Matt McNeill worried the Belper defence to such an extent that they had two players yellow carded. Grinstead forced a series of short corners, one of which was converted by Ben Payne to make it 3-3.

Once again Belper came back and went ahead with a perfectly executed short corner from Lamb 16 minutes from time which proved to be the winner.

Player-coach Ian Pattison said: "I am disappointed not to have got a point but at the same time I was very pleased with the standard of play and this will give us confidence for the rest of the season.

"It is going to be important that we learn from this game and ensure we beat the teams in the bottom half of the table when we meet them."

Grinstead: Dakin, Turk, Holland, Thomas, Perriss, Male, Howarth, B. Payne, R. Payne, Pattison, Pearce. Subs used: McNeill, Medcalf, Pine.