The Pitmen looked to get back to winning ways at Keys Park following two defeats on the road. Manager Rob Smith handed home debuts to Richard Platt, Callum Bullock and Tyler Weir.

Nantwich had the better of the opening exchange with long range efforts from Clayton and Cooke.

However the Pitmen weathered the opening barrage and began to dominate possession of the ball. In the 19th minute Thorley’s clever pass into the box allowed Glover the space to get a shot away, a last ditch block from Joel Stair deflected the ball past Burzynski into the net.

Bullock should have doubled the lead after being set up by Lawrie, but he misfired sending his shot wide of the post. The half ended with a thunderous tackle from Bailey preventing the advancing Clayton from shooting.

HT 1-0

The Pitmen continued to enjoy a good share of the ball at the start of the second half. Steele’s pace and trickery on the right and Glover’s strength in the air kept the Nantwich defence busy.

The game opened up midway through the half with Nantwich making a double substitution with Davies and McDonald coming on.

A series of long crosses and free kicks into the area intended to exploit McDonald’s physical presence posed a threat to the Hednesford defence, which ultimately held firm due to some resolute defending.

In the end, a hard fought performance gave the Pitmen three points and kept their unbeaten run at Keys Park going.

Pitmen: Wren, Platt, Weir (Melbourne), Bailey, Mutton, Fitzpatrick, Steele (Levingston), Thorley (c), Glover, Lawrie, Bullock (Lyttle)
Subs not used: Nadat, Oji

Nantwich Town: Burzynski, Bourne, Morgan, Stair, Mullarkey, Bell (c), Hughes, Brooke (McDonald) Clayton (Davies), Cooke, Cottrell (Jones)
Subs not used: Rowntree, Forbes,

Bookings: Fitzpatrick, Steele (Hednesford)

Attendance: 319