James Taylor scored an early opener in his first start for the club in nearly eight months and centre half Luke Cox doubled the lead before the end of the first half.

On the front foot in the early exchanges, Long Eaton looked most dangerous down the right with L’Varn Brandy linking up with centre forward Tom Cursons, while Larell King provided width on the overlap.

After a positive start The Blues were in front after just four minutes played. A classic long throw-in from Keiran Walker caused havoc for the Gresley defence, who failed to clear the ball, and Taylor capitalised scoring from point-blank range in a crowded 18-yard box.

Gresley had a chance to equalise midway through the first-half when the visitors intercepted a misplaced pass and pounced on the counter. However, Mitchell Leivers was quick off his line, closed down the angle and made a great save to preserve the early advantage.

Long Eaton looked full of confidence, as new signings Cieron Keane and Adam Clark proved with their efforts from range.

After a cross from Keane was cleared only as far as the edge of the box, Luke Cox recovered possession of the ball and picked out the bottom right corner to double the lead in the 37th minute.

Ahead at the break Ian Deakin made 11 changes and changed the formation from a back four to a back three.

United maintained their fluidity in attack despite the wholesale changes and were soon on the break again.

Micah Jebbison found Alex Marshall’s overlapping run into the box with a deft through ball, the striker cut inside and took the shot but was denied by the crossbar.

After some great footwork from Riley Phillips, trialist Curtis Davies had space for the shot which swerved and dipped but was palmed wide by the Rovers’ keeper.

Gresley threatened in the wide areas and on the counterattack but Riece Bertram cut out several chances for the visitors while the width provided by Callum Minkley and Tom Marshall forced the attackers away from goal.

Substitute goalkeeper Sam Wilson commanded his area well in the closing minutes and Long Eaton United saw out a first win of pre-season with a clean sheet at Grange Park.