Cotgrave FC were the Lions’ opponents in the first round of the UCL League Cup and Heanor made just one change from their previous game, Tudgay returning to the starting line up, with Jack Thatcher dropping to the bench.

Heanor began nervously on a dry and bobbly pitch, very far removed from their home surface. And they got the start they really didn’t want as a ball over the top put the Cotgrave right winger through on goal in the 5th minute. To his credit, Paz took the ball down well and dispatched it cleanly past Pierrepont and into the bottom corner.

The main threat for the Lions came from Josh King as he had a shot beaten away and another blocked within the space of a couple of minutes. But then Cotgrave were awarded a dangerous free kick in the 12th minute. Pierrepont parried the effort, only for a Cotgrave forward to poke the ball in. However, it was a relief to see the linesman’s flag up for offside and the goal was ruled out.

Heanor then upped their game and started to dominate possession, but it was a direct move that brought the equaliser in the 43rd minute. A long clearance from Pierrepont saw Markelic chase and compete for the ball. He nodded it on and ran into the area, lifting the ball beautifully over the advancing ‘keeper, putting the Lions level at the break.

Cheetham came on for Thompson at the start of the second period and his endeavour in midfield made a difference for the Lions. Tudgay had been moved out wide to wing back and he started to cause problems for the Cotgrave defence. They were both involved in the build up to Heanor’s second goal, as patient play on the right wing saw a great ball delivered into the box. It broke to Markelic at the back post, who had to turn and hammer the ball into the far corner.

The game then looked to be over in the 80th minute as a corner was floated over and Hugenholtz, with a late run, powered a towering header into the net. However, Cotgrave were back in the game just five minutes later when Wilson (on as a sub for Danny Gordon) diverted a cross into his own net. This could have spelled a nervous ending to the match, but on 87 minutes Jack Thatcher volleyed home a cross, putting any thoughts of a penalty shootout firmly to bed.

Heanor through to the next round, and, with three straight wins, move onto Saturday’s home game against bottom of the table Deeping Rangers.