The Blues led by three at the break, Rogers’ brace and a neat finish from Micah Jebbison provided the advantage. Long Eaton were reduced to ten-men after a high challenge from Tyreece Robinson in the 55th minute. Lita scored late on in the second-half but it proved to be just a consolation for the hosts.

Wholesale changes were made to the starting eleven after Monday’s defeat to Carlton Town in the Northern Premier League. Reco Fyfe made his first start since the United Counties League Champions Cup final against Harborough Town and Kam Campbell returned up front after coming off injured against Grantham Town several weeks ago. Jebbison earned his second start of the season alongside Rogers on the wings and Larell King replaced Tom Marshall at right back.

Despite some early pressure from the hosts, Rogers fired The Blues in front after seven minutes played. Jamie Walker whipped in a lovely cross from out wide which Harvey Portman failed to clear and Rogers finished with aplomb.

Just four minutes later Jebbison doubled the advantage after Fyfe supplied the cross for the Canadian winger to volley past Tiernan Brooks.

Kam Campbell almost made it three on his return to the starting eleven. Sam Wilson’s long ball forward beat the backline but Campbell’s glanced shot bounced past Brooks and wide of the goal.

Player/caretaker manager Lita provided plenty of attacking threat for the hosts. Lita looked for an immediate reply to Jebbison’s goal but his header in a crowded six-yard box was high and wide.

The Pitmen started to move up the pitch as the half progressed. Kyle Bennett tried his luck from range with a powerful strike but Sam Wilson saw the shot all the way and made a routine diving save.

Lita had another opportunity to reduce the deficit as Hednesford worked the ball out wide and supplied the cross. Lita met the ball with a downward header from close range but the shot ricocheted off the turf and straight into Sam Wilson’s gloves.

Despite some progressive passing play from United, the hosts still looked to hurt The Blues on the counter. A miss hit clearance from Romaine Graham was pounced on by Lita but the skipper managed to get goal side and win the ball back before the striker could shoot.

Graham denied Lita again several minutes later, blocking the forward's volley at the near post. Lewis Hayden hit the rebound but Sam Wilson got down quickly to make the stop.

Just before the half-time whistle Rogers scored the third goal of the match. Jebbison headed the ball on to Rogers who finished with a low, driven shot across the goalkeeper.

Ten minutes after the restart Long Eaton were reduced to ten-men. Tyreece Robinson was shown a red card for a high challenge in the middle of the pitch.

The hosts were in the ascendancy and The Blues had their backs against the wall. A barrage of shots followed, Todd Parker dribbled his way into the box and pulled the trigger but Sam Wilson was once again equal to the effort.

Riley O’Sullivan and Bennett peppered United’s goal with attempted shots from range but the defence made light work of the ambitious efforts.

Lita had a golden chance to reduce the deficit as he peeled away from his defender and took aim from a tight angle, the shot looked destined for the bottom corner but Sam Wilson got a fingertip to deny the former Reading man.

In the dying embers of the match Lita nodded the ball past Sam Wilson from a corner. However, the late goal was only a consolation for the hosts this time round.