Heanor Town turn tables on rivals in League Cup

The United Counties League side overcame Northampton ON Chenecks 2-1 and in doing so extended their unbeaten run to nine matches in all competitions.

The Chens had a couple of early shots on target without really troubling goalkeeper Jordan Pierrepont and it was the Lions who made the breakthrough in the tenth minute.

A slick passing move led to the ball being delivered in from the right and an unmarked John King slotted home.

Sam Brown made a brave block on 23 minutes to preserve the lead and it was doubled shortly after.

Josh Timson beat his marker in midfield and his inch perfect pass fell into the path of the onrushing Mason Tudgay. His first-time effort was beaten away by the ‘keeper and eventually fell to Jamie Sleigh to score.

Heanor started the second half as they had ended the first, in control.

Timson was pulling the strings in midfield and another weighted pass put Sacha Markelic through but his cross shot just grazed the outside of the post. Then Sleigh was the beneficiary of a Timson through-ball but also pulled his effort wide.

The missed chances left the door open to a comeback. Chens started to throw on substitutions in the hope of changing the game and in the 70th minute they pulled a goal back from a header.

There was also a scare when a scuffed shot had to be cleared off the line before Heanor closed out the win.

Chens finished the tie with ten men after substitute Luca-Augustus Purse was red-carded for making a derogatory comment to the linesman.

Town take their unbeaten streak on to Aylestone Park next Saturday in the League before hosting Pinxton in the Derbyshire Cup next Wednesday, October 7.