Oliver Greaves put our Derbyshire rivals ahead in the first-half and made it a brace after the restart. An unfortunate own goal from Ross Durrant saw Mickleover score their third before Andre Wright’s quickfire double wrapped up the five-star performance from the visitors.

Sports' sixth consecutive win saw them continue their perfect start to the season at the summit of the Southern League Premier Central, while United remained bottom of the table without a point.

Brad Munn and Lewis McGugan opted for a change in system and personnel ahead of the match - Nathan Whitehead made his debut at centre-half, while experienced defender Keiran Walker returned to the starting line-up along with attacking midfielder Adam Clark.

Mickleover were happy to retain possession in the opening stages and looked dangerous when they attacked down the left with fullback Ryan Wilson overlapping winger Andrew Dales.

The Blues sat deep and attempted to counter Sports’ press with Zayn Hakeem drifting wide, although the striker had limited options when he did receive the ball down the right.

Durrant was called into action several times as the first-half got underway but the skipper commanded his area well through the first couple of Mickleover attacks. The first came when a dangerous cross from Dales creeped towards the near post but Durrant palmed the effort wide for Lucien Mahovo to clear.

After promising build-up, The Sports found the opener in the 20th minute. Greaves received the ball from a short corner, wriggled past Adam Clark and picked out the top corner with a great finish to provide Mickleover with the advantage.

Moments later, Dales had a great chance to make it two when he cut in from the left and took the shot but Durrant got down and made a great save at the near post to deny the forward.

Dales proved to be a constant threat for United’s backline and almost scored the visitors’ second. Andre Wright drove to the byline and cut the ball back for the Dales to run onto, his shot had plenty of flair but bobbled wide of the far post.

Sports came within inches of doubling their lead as the half came to an end; Wright slipped Dales through but the winger’s effort could only rattle the woodwork on this occasion.

Durrant was called into action yet again when Dales teed up Greaves on the edge of the area, this time the Long Eaton captain managed to push the strike over the bar for a corner.

The last chance of the half fell to the visitors, Wright was on the receiving end of a cross but could only glance the attempt wide before the referee signalled for half-time.

In a barnstorming start to the second half, Mickleover wasted no time in strengthening their lead and just five minutes after the restart Greaves slotted home his second.

Not a minute later, Durrant’s attempted clearance was sliced into his own net via the post - an unfortunate error after an excellent first 45 from the keeper.

At the other end of the pitch The Blues had a half chance as they crowded the six-yard box, the ball fell to new recruit Joseph Nyahwema but Oliver Bosworth denied him with a big stop at the near post.

A quickfire brace from Wright in the 61st and 63rd minute rubbed salt in Long Eaton United’s wounds as the visitors struck their fifth goal of the afternoon past Durrant.

In search of a consolation Hakeem surged forward, showcasing his pace down the left flank, however, a crucial challenge from Finn Delap brought an end to the move and an end to Hakeem’s match as the striker limped off the pitch.

Hakeem’s final action of the second-half earned a corner for the hosts, Callum Cocks delivered but Nathan Whitehead could only glance the ball wide.

United utilised the attacking options on their bench, as did the visitors, but the match finished nil-five.