Long Eaton United 1-2 Halesowen Town

Simeon Cobourne gave the visitors an early lead, but that lead did not last long as Joe Nyahwema struck superbly to ensure the game stayed level at the break.

However, a second-half strike from Richard Gregory meant the Blues fell to a heart-wrenching defeat on home soil.

Brad Munn opted to make two changes to the side that overcame Chesterfield in mid-week – Luke Martin returned to the centre of defence in place of Marley Fearon, and Casey Johnson began in midfield ahead of fellow youngster Prestyn Moore.

On a cold and windy Saturday evening, both sides wanted to play with attacking intent, as chances fell to the two sides in the opening stages.

James Spruce and Jack Rogers combined in the early stages when the latter received a delicate flick from the striker inside the Blues’ box to create a chance to shoot, although his effort was palmed away and later brought back for an offside decision, nonetheless.

Ross Durrant was called into action for United moments later after a windswept cross curled straight towards the centre of the goal which forced the Blues shot-stopper into a palmed save onto the post.

It was, however, the Yeltz that took the advantage early on. Cobourne was able to establish himself in the match by placing a neat low finish into the bottom right corner just after the quarter of an hour mark.

Ten minutes later, Nyahwema brought the game level for the Blues in extraordinary fashion – the wingers' sweet half volley from the edge of the area flew into the top left corner and just out the reach of Daniel Platt.

Cobourne then had another chance for the visitors just after the half-hour mark, when some intricate passing play put the forward through on goal in the 18-yard box and the strike opted to shoot but forced Durrant into a sweeping stop.

With half-time beckoning, Gregory could have regained the lead for the hosts going into the break. The forward capitalised on a defensive mistake and attempted to lob the committed Durrant, but the wind carried the ball wide of the target.

The last chance of the half fell to Reece Mitchell who darted his way into the box and looked to fire an effort towards the near post, although once again Durrant was able to stop the shot with his feet.

Halesowen flew out of the blocks in the second half eager to regain their lead, and they almost did after just one minute. Gregory stood unmarked and received the ball inside the box before shooting low and forcing Durrant into yet another stop.

Five minutes later, however, Gregory met a wickedly whipped cross with a composed touch, turned his marker, and thumped a strike past the diving Durrant to give the Yeltz an advantage.

Twenty minutes into the second half, Spruce was eventually gifted a huge chance for the Blues as he received the ball inside the box and looked to curl a strike just inside the far post with Platt committed, although the wind carried the ball just past the post.

Jack Holmes came close for the visitors in the dying moments of the match when he cut in from the right and attempted a whipped effort on goal, but it was another low stop from Durrant to deny the forward.

Nyahwema came inches away from clawing a point back for the Blues late on – the winger took advantage of some painful pinball inside the box, as he gathered the ball and shot low first time looking for the bottom right, but Platt did exceptionally well to react and dive with a palm to keep the ball out and secure all three points for Halesowen.