Hednesford Town would fall to defeat against league new boys Shaw Lane with defensive frailties once again costing the Pitmen dear.
Manager Neil Tooth was able to call on the services of striker Luke Rodgers for the first time this season with him coming straight into the starting line-up.
The game was barely three minutes old though before the Pitmen found themselves a goal down after the home sides Gavin Rothery picked the ball up on the left before delivering a teasing ball into the box which was turned home by Sam Oji into his own net.
Hednesford responded well from this early setback though and drew level in the 14th minute when Danny Glover once again rose highest to nod the ball down inside the penalty area and Matt Dodd was able to poke it home underneath the advancing goalkeeper.
James Wren was called into action in the 22nd minute to deny David Morris with Alex Byrne slicing the rebound high and wide before the Pitmen should really have gone ahead seven minutes later when Rodgers set up Glover but he headed wide from six yards.
Lee Smith fired an effort wide of the goal in the 31st minute before Wren was forced into another smart save six minutes later.
Hednesford felt somewhat aggrieved in the 42nd minute when James Lawrie’s effort was ruled out with Glover adjudged to have fouled his man after rising highest in the penalty area.
This would prove to be crucial as on the stroke of half-time the home side retook the lead when a cross to the far post found its way into the net through a combination of Lewis Wright and Shaw Lane defender Ryan Qualter.
HT: 2-1
Three minutes into the second period Wren was forced into action again before Dodd got in twice for Hednesford but neither time was the goalkeeper tested.
A third goal would arrive for Shaw Lane in the 59th minute when the Pitmen once again failed to clear the ball and a cross into the six-yard box was turned home by Paul Clayton despite calls that the striker was offside.
The Pitmen were now left looking for a way back into the game but it was the home side that almost extended the lead with 15 minutes to go but Qualter headed over the bar from a free-kick.
Nicky Walker fired wide of Wren’s goal with four minutes to go and although the Pitmen had plenty of the ball in the final few moments they couldn’t force an effort on goal.
Shaw Lane AFC: Stewart, Bembo-Leta, Sergeant, Lenighan, Lugsden, Qualter, Byrne, Harris (Abadaki), Clayton (Chilaka), Norris, Rothery (Walker)
Subs not used: Reeves, Hough
Hednesford Town: Wren, Wright, Ballinger, Bailey, Oji, Smith, Dodd, Thorley, Glover, Nadat (Rodgers 65), Lawrie (Green 61)
Subs not used: Mutton, Melbourne, Taylor
Attendance: 152
