Striker Ryan Bache netted early in the second half, before Cameron Mulvihill brought one back for the visitors and Riley Phillips put the game to bed late on to send Long Eaton through to the next round.

Curtis Burrows took charge of the U18s in this Preliminary Round tie and fielded a strong team with a point to prove after the Blues’ early exit to Kirby last season.

The Blues piled on the pressure in the opening ten minutes, as they spent most of the time in the visitors’ half, and it was Sachin Matharu who had the first real chance less than a minute in. The midfielder latched onto a delicate pass from Broughton just outside the box and curled an effort that flew just wide of the far post.

Five minutes later, the Blues had another chance, this time Phillips played a one-two with Bache on the edge of the box and the winger attempted to whip the ball towards the far post, but Harry Jones was equal to it.

The dangerous Destiny Conteh then thumped an effort into the side netting after beating the offside trap and latching onto a well-timed through ball from Phillips, missing the back of the net by millimetres.

After the dominant start, the Blues eventually opened the scoring in the 29th minute. An inch-perfect over the top through ball by Pearce was gathered beyond the defence by Broughton and struck with an exceptional half volley that flew across the keeper and inside the far post.

On the stroke of half-time, the Blues could have made it two, if not for some fantastic goalkeeping from Jones. Ben Bowers received the ball on the edge of the box, turned his man and drilled a shot low towards the far post, but the visitors’ keeper dived and palmed the ball away.

Bache did however double Long Eaton’s lead in the 52nd minute, when Mitchell Leivers’ hoofed free-kick was flicked on by Conteh and the forward – loitering with intent – was quick to react and dive into the box to divert with a brilliant strike from close range.

Phillips, causing mayhem down the right, started just inside Kirby’s half but displayed excellent footwork to drive past two defenders, cut inside and find room to strike towards goal – but, once again, it came to no avail.

Centre-back pairing Breeyen Grainger and Pearce combined mid-way through the second half, as Grainger’s lofted free-kick was met by the head of Pearce, but the Blues captain, unfortunately, could not keep his effort down.

The visitors did pull one back when Leivers committed in an attempt to catch a lofted pass on 71 minutes and misjudged the flight, which allowed Mulvihill to convert with a thumping strike at the back post into the roof of the net.

With five minutes left in the match, Phillips demonstrated that patience pays off, as the winger latched onto a lobbed through ball down the right, dragged the ball back on the by-line, drove towards goal and struck a venomous effort over the keeper and into the back of the net.

That victory means that the Blues U18s will now face Harborough Town U18s away from home in the First Round Qualifying of the FA Youth Cup, with the date and kick-off time to be confirmed.