A threadlike retainer cord is used to bring a flat nut inserted through a surface or wall into position with the hole in the surface for a screw to mate with the threads in the nut. This fastening system provides a simple way to fasten objects together without having access to both sides. The retainer cord has elongated ends that are larger than the holes they are put through. The nut is put horizontally through the hole in the wall and rotates 90 degrees after dropping through the hole. The nut is pulled into position over the hole by the cord. In one case the cord goes through a hollow screw while the opposite end is through the threaded hole in the nut. Another possibility is using small holes on both sides of the threaded hole in the nut. The cord is looped through these two holes and aligns the threaded hole in the nut with the hole in the wall when the cord is pulled. This makes it easy to mate a screw with the nut.