Hednesford Town crashed to their second defeat in four days after losing 3-0 against Stockport County, a defeat that also saw them slip to the bottom of the table following results elsewhere.
After suffering from a bout of illness in the build-up to the game, the visitors were missing winger Adam Thomas, while Ben Bailey, Tom Thorley and Danny Glover all came into the side from the team that had lost at the weekend.
The game got off to the worst possible start for the Pitmen though when they fell behind in the sixth minute as Obi Anoruo was left with a free header inside the six yard box which he planted into the bottom corner.
Town almost responded straight away with Shelton Payne striking the post after cutting inside from the wing.
Hednesford were indebted to shot stopper Dan Crane for keeping them in the game after 24 minutes as the goalkeeper made four saves in a matter of seconds as the defence failed to clear their lines.
A minute before half-time the home side doubled their lead when Richard Brodie spun and shot left footed from 30 yards with the ball finding the back of the net via a deflection off George Cleet.
Pitmen substitute Tom Peers almost found a way back into the game for his side in the 59th minute when he worked half a yard of space and fired in a stinging shot that was turned behind for a corner.
Hednesford thought they were back in it a minute later but although Bailey’s header was cleared from just behind the line the officials waved play on.
The home side looked more than comfortable with their lead though and although Payne fired in a free kick from 25 yards it lacked any pace to find the net.
Seven minutes from time the home side added a third when substitute Kayodi Odejayi headed home at the back post to compound a forgettable evening for the Pitmen.
Stockport County: Ormson, Connolly, Roberts (Joyce 86), Montrose, O’Hanlon, Smalley, Morton, Anoruo (Garvin 64), Brodie (Odejayi 79), Marsden, Ledsham
Subs not used: Smith, Menagh
Hednesford Town: Crane, Fitzwater, Truelove, Bailey, Digie, Cleet (Peers 46), Thorley, Williams, Perry (Ennis 61), Glover (Obeng 71), Payne
Subs not used: Trainer, Ransome
Attendance: 2,289
Star Man: Tom Peers
Entertainment Rating: Three Stars
