After a goalless first-half Layne Eadie fired the visitors in front. The Blues soon found a reply through second-half substitute Adam Clark but Finley Wilkinson’s rebounded effort sealed a win on the road for Hitchin.

In their first game in charge, joint managers Lewis McGugan and Brad Munn made four changes to the side that faced Leamington last weekend. Ed Cook made his debut at centre-half while wing-backs Larell King and Sam Parker returned to the starting eleven along with midfielder Cieron Keane.

In a scrappy start to the match Long Eaton United looked to exploit the wide positions. Keane drifted out to the right and delivered several crosses but could not create a clear cut chance for The Blues.

The visitors threatened down the left side with Diogo Freitas Gouveia leading the charge - although, there was no way past King and Cook for the tricky winger in the opening exchanges.

As the first half came to a close Hitchin pressed on and Finley Wilkinson found space for the shot on the edge of the Blues’ area but his low driven effort was struck wide of the near post.

Late in the first-half, a long-range effort from Diogo looked dangerous but did not have enough dip to hit the target from distance.

Shortly after the restart Diogo was causing problems for the defence yet again as he played Eadie through on the overlap with an incisive pass for the defender finish into the top corner and give the visitors the lead.

However, their lead would only last 11 minutes as Adam Clark volleyed home the equaliser with his first touch of the match after a long throw-in from Keiran Walker fell to the substitute striker at the back post.

Diogo looked for an immediate reply, the forward twisted and turned on the edge of the box before taking a shot at goal but Durrant was equal to the effort and parried it wide.

Then, at the other end of the pitch, Long Eaton almost found the go-ahead-goal as Keane’s corner found the head of Walker who glanced the ball just inches wide of the far post.

The visitors were back in front in the 75th minute; initial efforts from Jack Snelus and Bradley Bell were stopped on the line by Durrant and Marley Fearon but Wilkinson was first on the scene to tuck away the rebound and restore their advantage.

As the match came to a close Toby Syme almost grabbed a third for the visitors but Durrant showcased his reflexes and denied the midfielder from close-range.