Heanor Town 2-0 Long Eaton United

Sacha Markelic gave the hosts a one-goal lead from the penalty spot mid-way through the first half, before extending Heanor’s lead late in the second half and securing them their spot in the Derbyshire Senior Cup final.

Brad Munn opted to make zero changes from the side that drew with Stourbridge FC at the weekend – the only difference being the return of the recent injury-stricken Jamie Hanson on the bench.

The Blues put together the first opportunity of the match after just five minutes, when Joe Nyahwema redirected a cross towards goal with venom but could not quite trouble the Heanor shot stopper.

Markelic came close in the 19th minute after working a shot on goal from the edge of the area, but Ross Durrant was on hand to tip the ball around the post and keep the game level.

With 36 minutes on the clock, Nathan Tyson had put the ball in the back of the net and thought he had put the Blues in front, however, the linesman pulled play back for an offside decision in the build up.

Then, in the 38th minute, Ryan Campbell-Gordon placed a hand on James Taylor inside the box, forcing the midfielder to take a tumble and win the hosts a penalty.

Markelic stepped up to take the penalty and cheekily panenka’d the ball straight down the centre of Durrant’s goal and into the back of the net.

On the stroke of half time, Adam Clark had a golden opportunity to extend the hosts’ advantage, but his effort from 12 yards out was blazed way over the bar and meant the Lions went in at the break with a one-goal lead.

Tyson looked to redirect Riece Bertram’s headed effort moments into the second half, as the forward struck the ball on the half volley from close but could not find the target.

Keaton August troubled Durrant with a shot from the edge of the area in the 57th minute, but the Blues’ keeper was alert enough to deny the winger a goal.

However, with 25 minutes left to play, Danny Gordon’s long ball forward was gathered by Markelic and the striker managed to round Durrant before tucking the ball into the back of the net.

Blues’ substitute Casey Johnson lashed an effort towards goal in the dying moments of the match, looking for a consolation, although the ball flew just wide of the target and condemned United to a two-goal defeat away from home.