Brad Munn named a largely unchanged side to the starting eleven that beat Kettering Town away from home last weekend. Owen Betts made his debut at right back and Andy Kanga returned to the matchday squad on the bench after he recovered from illness.

The visitors had a positive start to the match and called Long Eaton United number one Ross Durrant into action several times in the opening 10 minutes.

Dylan Allen-Hadley created the first chance for the visitors after just three minutes played, the forward swiped the ball from the feet of Aaron Cole but could not beat Durrant who rushed off his line to make the save.

Jack Hallahan had a chance of his own several minutes later when the midfielder found a gap in between the Long Eaton centre halves, although the shot was tame and Durrant gathered with ease.

Another half chance came the way of Alvechurch, this time DJ Campton-Sturridge cut inside from the left flank and took aim; however, the shot flew straight into the gloves of Durrant.

Up the other end of the pitch United had a chance from a wide free-kick, Cieron Keane delivered the ball into the box but Luke Martin’s header at the far post deflected wide of the target.

As the match approached the half-hour mark, the visitors made their early efforts count with a quickfire double. Ofosu fired in the first after a goalmouth scramble and Patterson smashed the ball in off the underside of the crossbar to double their lead.

The Blues were dealt another blow when midfield maestro Keane was forced off with what looked like a calf injury midway through the half.

Long Eaton pressed on in search of a reply but Ofosu commanded the visitor’s area brilliantly. The centre half headed Riece Bertram’s cross clear and quickly returned to his position to block Nyahwema’s effort on the rebound.

Campton-Sturridge had a golden opportunity to make it three as the half came to a close yet Durrant was there again and produced a crucial stop to limit the damage in the opening 45 minutes.

Shortly after play resumed in the second-half Riece Bertram came close to finding a way back for The Blues, his effort on the turn looked destined for the top corner yet flew narrowly wide of the target.

However, at the other end of the pitch Gordon produced a third for The Church with a cool finish slotted past Durrant from close-range.

Kanga’s introduction from the bench looked like it could be a catalyst for Long Eaton’s attempted comeback.

The striker had a shot blocked inside the box after Nyahwema slipped Ryan Campbell-Gordon through on the overlap and the fullback played in the cross.

Moments later Kanga had another chance from the edge of the area which he squeezed past Ronnie Hollingshead to reduce the deficit.

Less than ten minutes later Kanga was at the double. Andrew Wright found Betts out wide who cut the ball back to Kanga for the finish.

Despite a lifeline from Kanga it was Alvechurch substitute Dawkins who had the final say in the match, scoring from distance to wrap up a win on the road for the visitors.