The Pitmen faced an experienced Burton Albion side at Keys Park in the Birmingham Senior Cup Quarter Final, looking to get their good recent form back on track following Saturday’s league defeat to Barwell.

Burton’s quality showed during the opening stages when the Pitmen struggled to get a foot on the ball. After twenty minutes Hednesford began to grow in stature and carve out some half chances, but Burton still seemed the most likely to break the deadlock with Varney threatening on the right and Beardsley dangerous upfront.

In the 40th minute Jordan Graham advanced on the right into the Burton area sending his shot past Livesey for the Pitmen to take an unexpected lead.

Two minutes later Joey Butlin‘s looping header from a James Lawrie corner found the back of the net to double the lead.

Chris Beardsley put the ball in the net for Burton but was flagged offside by the assistant referee.

HT: 2-0

The second half had a lively start with chances at either end. The decisive moment came in the 59th minute when an in-swinging corner was headed on by Joey Butlin at the near post and found the net, possibly after a slight touch from Jordan Graham.

The Pitmen began to dominate the game with Jordan Graham in inspired form and further goals seemed likely.

It was however Burton who scored next in the 89th minute when Varney’s low shot beat James Wren.

In added time Danny Glover found space on the right hand side and finished smartly to make the final score 4-1 and send Hednesford through to the semi-finals on a memorable night at Keys Park.

Pitmen: Wren, Mendez-Jones, Campion (Fitzpatrick) Bailey, Gatter, King (Glover), Law, Thorley, Butlin (Harris), Lawrie, Graham
Subs not used: Oji, Walsh,

Burton Albion: Livesey, Varney, McCrory, Buxton, Barker (Hutchinson), Fenton, Sordell, Boyce (Ganley) Beardsley, Hallahan (Dowd), Sbarra
Subs not used: Cooke, Hawkins

Attendance: 209