The Lions looked to extend their unbeaten sequence in the Derbyshire Senior Cup with a home tie against lower-league Pinxton. Danny Gordon and Millen Sheena were brought into the starting line-up as Heanor swapped to a back four for the visit of the Miners.

Heanor dominated possession in the early stages of the game and were two goals to the good within the opening half hour. The first arrived after just 13 minutes as a long ball played over the top of the Pinxton defence found Sacha Markelic’s run. He controlled the ball, drew out Warren Squires in the Pinxton net and calmly tucked the ball away.

Jamie Sleigh had already given the Miners a warning with a blocked chance after 20 minutes, but he made no mistake just five minutes later. Josh Timson collected the ball and played an accurate through-ball into Sleigh’s path, and the forward, who had earlier been presented with an award for making his 250th appearance for the Lions, doubled their lead.

Pinxton had not really troubled Jordan Pierrepont in the Heanor goal up until this point, but were trying to get back into the game. And in the 36th minute they did so with a goal that they had not really threatened. The Miners won a corner and after an initial blocked header, the ball bounced around and was finally forced home by Harley Kozluk.

Heanor would have been disappointed going into the break that they only had a one goal lead to show for their first-half performance.

But the Lions started the second half strongly. On 47 minutes right-back Sheena drove into the Pinxton area and blasted a shot over the bar. Then after 51 minutes a crossfield ball was headed smartly down by Oscar Hugenholtz into Mason Tudgay, but his shot from a tight angle was well saved.

Heanor continued to press, Timson crossing to Sleigh, whose flicked effort was blocked. Then Tudgay found himself in a central position, but his shot from ten yards was well saved by Squires.

Heanor were made to pay for their missed chances, however, as Pinxton equalised with just five minutes remaining of normal time. Connor Mogford planted a shot high into the top corner of Pierrepont’s net, taking the tie into a penalty shoot-out.

After the initial five spot kicks, both teams were left rueing missed chances as they converted two apiece. John King stepped up for the first sudden-death penalty for Heanor, and blazed his shot over the bar. Pinxton then converted their final penalty to send them through to the next round.

For the second time in five days Heanor will be disappointed to have let a two-goal lead slip away, but they have an immediate chance to get back on track with a home fixture this Saturday in the first round proper of the FA Vase against Coton Green.

View our matchday photos captured by the wonderful Lesley Parker. Follow the link; Heanor Town vs. Pinxton FC matchday photos

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