Heanor Town faced off against the oldest club in the country as they looked for their first win since returning to the Town Ground at the start of this season.

After an even opening, the first chance of the game fell to Jamie Sleigh in the 19th minute. He found himself in space in the right hand channel, but lifted his attempted lob wide of the post. Sheffield responded just five minutes later when Poulter drove into the right hand edge of the Lions’ penalty area. His low shot was comfortably saved by Pierrepont and turned round for a corner.

These proved to be the best chances of a first half that was high on endeavour but low on goal mouth action, as the sides headed into the break goalless.

Heanor started the brighter of the two teams in the second half and won a free kick in a wide area after 52 minutes. The delivery found Hugenholtz unmarked at the back post, but although his header was on target, he couldn’t generate the power required to beat Dean in the Sheffield net.

On his return to the starting line up, Luke Thompson had been lively in the right wing back slot, and after 63 minutes drove through the centre of the pitch. Sheffield’s Glover grabbed him and deservedly picked up a caution after this professional foul. Markelic stood over the ball, fully 30 yards from goal, and then produced a ferocious strike that stung the goalkeeper’s fingertips before finding the bottom corner of the net. Putting Heanor in front with his 50th goal for the Lions, Markelic celebrated scoring the first home goal since the stadium renovation.

Sheffield then dominated possession for the final 20 minutes as they searched for an equalising goal. They peppered the Heanor box with high balls, but found Sam Brown in dominant form in the 71st minute with a goal saving headed clearance.

The visitors continued to press and looked to have an opportunity after Max Thornberry was sin-binned after 88 minutes, leaving Heanor to defend the closing moments with only ten men. However, they stood firm and made it two successive wins and back to back clean sheets clinching victory with the only goal of the game.