Ian Deakin made just one change to the side that beat Stocksbridge Park Steels 2-1 on Tuesday evening. Callum Minkley picked up a knock in the midweek encounter and was replaced by Micah Jebbison in the starting eleven.

The Blues began with intent and dominated the early proceedings but failed to find the breakthrough goal. Tom Cursons lit up the first-half with an impressive display on the right wing. The forward carved out a chance for The Blues in the first five minutes as he left Noah Wadsworth in his wake with a smart turn but saw his square ball to Alex Marshall was cut out and cleared by the visitors.

Moments later, after a drop-ball near the Tadcaster corner flag, Jebbison played the ball back to Tom Marshall who tried his luck from range — although his ambitious effort was denied by the outside of the woodwork.

Long Eaton controlled the game well and left the visitors with brief glimpses of possession, which Omar Sanyang tried to make the most of. The Albion winger created space on the wing and found Scott Smith on the edge of the box; however, the midfielder’s strike was saved comfortably by Sam Wilson.

Cursons was soon involved again as he brought down a long ball from Keiran Walker and raced towards goal, the forward opted not to shoot and his low driven cross deflected out for a corner.

The subsequent corner kick from Tom Marshall found Alex Marshall at the back post, yet the striker’s downward header struck the near post and stayed out.

As the first-half came to a close, the visitors won a free kick in a dangerous position. Lewis Hey struck the set piece goalwards and Sam Wilson palmed the effort over the bar to deny Tadcaster the opening goal.

After the restart, Sanyang had an electric start and found space inside The Blues’ 18-yard box for an early shot on goal but Riece Bertram made an important block to deny the number 10.

In the 51st minute, Jamie Walker scored his 12th of the season to give Long Eaton United the lead. After attempted shots from Alex Marshall and Cursons, the ball pinballed around the penalty area and fell for Jamie Walker to slot past Josh Mazfari with a composed finish.

Cursons had a couple of chances to claim a goal of his own with Jamie Walker turning provider, although the winger could not trouble the visitors’ goal with his efforts.

Sanyang continued to threaten throughout the second-half but Bertram’s defensive efforts kept the attacker quiet.

A cagey second-half ended with seven minutes added on by the referee but Long Eaton remained disciplined and saw out the win.