Having guaranteed their NCEL Premier Division status seven days earlier, United travelled to the Hull region to meet Hall Road Rangers and produced a winning performance that perhaps should have been rewarded with a more convincing outcome than the final score-line suggests.

Hall Road themselves had become embroiled in a fight for survival up until a month ago but three wins in their previous five league outings had assured their safety a little earlier than United had managed. Reassuringly, the victory enabled Long Eaton to finish the season ahead of their weekend hosts by way of a superior goal difference.

Manager Mick Galloway included himself in the starting line-up, enabling him to make his NCEL debut, and the former Gillingham and Notts County man restored Blaine Hancock to play alongside him in United’s midfield.

On a poor playing surface and in a swirling wind, both sides were slow to adapt to the awkward conditions but Hall Road were able to gain the early advantage when Jamie Barwell scored an opportunist strike with the game barely ten minutes old.

United’s response was fairly swift, exemplifying an emerging confidence that has been evident in recent weeks from Galloway’s young team.

After a clever build-up, United levelled the scores within a minute when Hancock struck a low shot with some precision through a crowded goalmouth, registering his third senior goal for his home town club since his January debut.

The goal inspired United to produce their most attacking style of the season, clearly free from the hesitancy that a struggle against relegation can bring.

Shaun Rickford, Will Mellors-Blair, Jimmy Hunter, Dominic Jones and Jacob Webster all had opportunities that rattled the beleaguered home defence. Unfortunately the clinical edge was missing when it mattered.

Mercifully, United’s dominance was eventually rewarded after thirty-five minutes when leading scorer Rickford deceived an in-form home ‘keeper and wrong-footed the rest of the Hall Road defence with a cutely timed strike.

United continued to assert their control of the game but moments after their own penalty appeals were waved away after Mellors-Blair was upended, the home side gained a more positive response from the referee when Kial Thurman was adjudged to have handled when the ball rocketed upwards after the central defender had intercepted a strongly struck pass.

Hall Road’s Steve Gawthorpe despatched the spot-kick with confidence, enabling his side to enter the interval on level terms.

During the second half United appeared to stifle the Hall Road midfield in a clear attempt to restrict the home threat. As a consequence, United produced a more subtle edge to their passing game which gave their own approach play a more clinical edge.

After sixty minutes Rickford had a deftly finished goal ruled out and minutes later the same player lashed another effort over the bar from twelve yards. At the other end, United’s ‘keeper Scott Webb prevented Hall Road from scoring with a finger-tip save from a cleverly executed free-kick.

Thirty-seven year-old Galloway made way for Elliot King midway through the second half and continued to orchestrate affairs from the touchline following an enjoyable cameo.

United secured a well deserved victory in the seventy-second minute when Mellors-Blair cut in from the left to score a wonderful goal from twenty yards that stranded the Hall Road ‘keeper, which further consolidated his contribution during a difficult season for a developing team

Isaac Marshall appeared as a late substitute in what will be his final appearance for the club before he embarks on a military career and almost set up a fourth goal for his team after a good run down the right.

The home side tried to rally as the game closed out but United’s new order of Michael Armstrong, Thurman, Jones and Webster were in no mood to relinquish their position after their gallant efforts in recent weeks.

Long Eaton United: Webb, Armstrong, Warman, Thurman, Jones, Webster, Hunter (Marshall 83). Galloway (King 67), Hancock (Taylor-Gardner 80), Rickford, Mellors-Blair

So, United ended their season on a high note with two victories in their final two games, giving an even rosier look to a run-in that saw them only lose once in the last five league fixtures.

Throughout the closing month of the campaign there have been some important contributions from a number of individuals and the late introduction of Dominic Jones certainly aided United’s cause.

Will Mellors-Blair came up with the goals during the vital clutch of matches and Blaine Hancock demonstrated his ability to add to the scoring options with three particularly well taken strikes.

Michael Armstrong continues to impress and Jacob Webster has worked tirelessly since he reclaimed his place in the starting line-up.

Shaun Rickford has to be applauded for his role as club captain and his leadership of a young set of players is a credit to both his own attitude and his love of the club.

Jimmy Hunter was still full of running at Hall Road but who will ever forget his celebration after scoring the winning goal against Maltby.....

Although his addition to the squad came late in the season, Kial Thurman was able to demonstrate that he is already an accomplished defender and it’s is only a shame that his partner, Isaac Marshall, may have played his last game for the club.