The Blues trailed by a goal after 45 minutes played, an opener from Ethan Hill providing the visitors with the lead. United's luck would soon go from bad to worse after Jamie Hanson was forced off the pitch through injury shortly after the restart with all three substitutions already used up.

Despite going down to ten men, Long Eaton kept themselves in the game and managed to grab an equaliser in the 87th minute as George Atwal scored his first of the season to earn a point late on in the match.

Brad Munn made three changes to the side that lost away to Mickleover on Boxing Day. In defence, Nicholas Aretzis made his first start in five matches while George Atwal and Prestyn Moore started in midfield.

Barwell had the better start of the two sides and should have taken the lead in the sixth minute. George Ward was unmarked from a corner kick but headed the ball straight into the gloves of Ross Durrant who caught the ball comfortably.

Kyle Rowley had another chance from another dangerous corner ball but Durrant managed to keep the centre-half’s effort out at his near post.

The Blues had an opportunity to counterattack after Andrew Wright won the ball back in the middle of the pitch and played it out wide to James Spruce but Harry Evans commanded his area well and claimed the cross at the back post.

Then, at the other end of the pitch, Hill pounced on an error at the back and knocked the ball into an empty net to give Barwell the lead half-an-hour into the match.

As half-time approached United had a chance from a corner kick. The set piece from Jack Rogers was headed clear but only as far as Callum Cocks who whipped the ball back into the crowded 18-yard box – Spruce got something on it but could not direct the ball goalwards.

Barwell led by a goal-to-nil at the break and the United made a double change. Belgrave and Aaron Cole replaced Aretzis and Moore; however, The Blues were soon forced to make a third change after Spruce picked up a knock following a challenge in the final third.

Riece Bertram entered the fray, initially as a forward, although the centre-half had to drop back into defence after Jamie Hanson pulled up with an injury when he tried to stop Beck-Ray Enoru on the counter.

Enoru kept his composure as he raced through on goal, though the same could not be said for Prince Henry who blasted his attempt high and wide at the far post after Enoru squared the ball.

Atwal looked lively after the restart and won a free-kick on the edge of the area after he was brought down by Sidney Kerr. Cocks stepped up to take it with an effort that crept around the wall, though Evans saw it all the way and dived down low to make the save.

Fresh from the bench Jahvan Davidson-Miller had a couple of half-chances but failed to trouble Durrant despite mounting pressure from the visitors.

With time running out Belgrave won a corner for The Blues after his effort on goal was blocked behind for a corner by Tremayne Charles.

Then, inside a packed 18-yard box, the ball fell to Atwal who somehow managed to squeeze the ball past a sea of bodies in the goalmouth to score a dramatic late equaliser!