Heanor Town only made one change to their starting XI as they looked to react quickly to their opening day defeat, with Oscar Hugenholtz coming in at left back. On an almost grassless and fast surface, Town’s superior passing game resulted in their first away victory of the new season.

Jamie Sleigh’s pace troubled Nirvana from the outset, and as early as the 9th minute he broke through on the right hand side of the box, only to find his low drive beaten away by the ‘keeper.

Heanor deservedly took the lead on 29 minutes, as Josh Timson, who had been lively in the opening half hour, finished neatly from an acute angle on the right hand side. He placed the ball beyond the goalkeeper and into the far corner, off the post. A great finish that knocked Nirvana for the rest of the first half.

Just four minutes later, another silky passing move ended with Sleigh laying the ball back to Timson. But this time his shot couldn’t find the back of the net.

With half time approaching, Nirvana were finally sparked into life by a late challenge from Town, followed by Gordon striking the ball into the prone player. This resulted in a yellow card for Danny Gordon just before the break.

Nirvana made a couple of half time changes to try and retrieve the situation, but this backfired as Tucker was sin-binned on 47 minutes, presumably for dissent. However, Heanor failed to take advantage of their extra man in this ten minute period. In fact, despite their lack of numbers, it proved their best period in the game. Pierrepont held a strong shot and Nirvana had another effort whistle over the bar.

Heanor were dangerous on the break as the game opened up. But it was Nirvana who had their best chance in the 76th minute. Winger, Clayton-Naute burst past Pierrepont, but after being forced wide of the goal, missed the target.

But it was Timson again, this time turning provider, who proved pivotal, delivering a sublime pass into the path of an onrushing Mason Tudgay. The finish, emphatic and clinical, secured all three points for the Lions.