Brad Munn made just one change to the side that faced Halesowen. In midfield Lewis Belgrave replaced Casey Johnson after the youngster picked up a knock at the weekend.

The Blues were forced onto the backfoot almost immediately. Ross Durrant had to make three saves in the opening three minutes just to keep the score level.

Mickleover overwhelmed Long Eaton in the wide areas but resolute defending from the backline kept the hosts at bay.

Then, seemingly out of nothing, The Blues found a way through on goal. Rogers was on the end of the counterattack for United and took his chance superbly to give us an unlikely lead with his second goal of the season.

Attack after attack followed as the hosts continued to lay siege to the Long Eaton defence in search of a reply.

However, The Blues somehow managed to hold onto their narrow advantage. A cross came in from the left but Joseph Nyahwema tracked back and headed clear.

Experienced centre forward Leon Clarke made his presence known in the Long Eaton 18-yard box but Riece Bertram won his aerial duels with the former Wolves striker to ho

Sault looked dangerous down the right side but Jamie Hanson and Bertram managed to silence the wide midfielder in his efforts to restore parity.

Mickleover eventually found a way through on the half-hour mark – Mann’s towering header providing a hard-fought equaliser.

Barnes had a great chance to put Mickleover ahead just before the break, an inventive flick from the forward was parried wide by Durrant at the near post to give The Blues a fighting chance in the second-half.

After the restart Long Eaton were under the cosh once again but looked like they could threaten on the break. Wright saw the run of Rogers down the middle of the pitch but Rhys Dolan got across and intercepted the forward pass to bring a swift end to the counter.

Moments later Nyahwema beat one defender after the other down the left but ran out of space as he attempted to cross the ball at the byline.

After an hour played Barnes converted at the far post to put the hosts ahead and, just a couple of minutes later, Mickleover doubled their lead from the penalty spot.

The referee awarded the spot kick after Belgrave brought Barnes down in the area, Greaves initial effort from 12-yards was saved by Durrant but the attacking midfielder reacted quickest to tuck away the rebound.

Sault almost had his efforts rewarded with a goal in the 68th minute, yet this time his thunderous effort smashed against the woodwork and went behind for a goal kick.

Barnes scored his second of the day in the 70th minute, the forward peeled away from his marker and slotted the ball past Durrant with a composed finish to make it four.

With the game already won, Mann bagged his brace to make it a heavy defeat in Derbyshire for The Blues and a Boxing Day to remember for the Sports.