Goal blitz sends Heanor Town to defeat

In a hard-fought first-half, chances were few and far between. Former Lion Jesse Vowles forcing Jake Askew into a save before Blaine Hancock cut inside to see his shot blocked on its way to goal.

Tom Batterham had a golden opportunity to put the Lions in front shortly before the break when he seized on a defensive error, but an alert Ryan Howes in the Dunkirk goal thwarted his shot.

Heanor did take the lead in first half stoppage time, however, and the goal came from an unlikely source. Full-back Joe Nice’s inswinging free-kick from close to the home dugout beat everyone to nestle into the back of the net.

Dunkirk started the second half with more purpose, and almost levelled when Ross McParland’s first effort cannoned off the crossbar and his second effort hit the post and went wide.

Nathan Benger and Sam Vickers had chances to extend Heanor’s lead before the hosts took control.

Callum Robinson brought Dunkirk level in the 63rd minute when he spun on the edge of the area before firing into the top corner.

Two minutes later, Dunkirk took the lead. Sean Green’s deft header from a corner found the net.

Lewis Wilcox extended the lead in the 68th minute when his towering header beat Askew.

That five-minute spell stopped the Lions in their tracks and they didn’t look likely to rescue the game after it.

Ross McParland had chances to further increase the lead but the Lions will have to quickly forget this game before playing Clifton All Whites on Saturday.