Hednesford 3 Nantwich 2
Hednesford moved into the second round of the FA Carlsberg Trophy after winning a hard fought game at Keys Park.
Hednesford moved into the second round of the FA Carlsberg Trophy after winning a hard fought game at Keys Park.
The first real chance of the evening came on 22 minutes when Ross Draper fired just wide of the right-hand post.
But the Pitmen didn't have to wait long before breaking the deadlock when they struck two minutes later.
Elliott Durrell was the man on target, sending a looping header into the top corner following a good cross from Anthony Maguire.
The home side's lead was wiped out almost immediately when former Hednesford man Dave Whittaker sent a firm header past Stuart Brock.
Brock was the busier of the two keepers and he excelled to deny Dave Walker following a mistake by Decio Gomes.
Pitmen boss Dean Edwards' half-time pep talk had the desired affect, as Ross Dyer fired the hosts back in front five minutes into the second period.
Dyer followed up to net after Sam Hall's shot had been saved by Lee Jones.
As in the first half, the Pitmen failed to hold onto to their lead as Nantwich struck within two minutes.
The goal was a fortunate one, as a cross from Ashley Carter hit Gomes and looped over Brock into the net.
Hednesford brushed off that setback and took the lead for a third time 10 minutes later, courtesy of a classy strike from Dyer.
He received the ball on the right side of the penalty area and despite being closely marked, he turned to hit a firm left-footed shot into the net off the right-hand post.
The visitors nearly drew level when Brock saved well from Walker, before the Nantwich dangerman drilled a low cross across the face of goal with no visiting player able to apply the final touch.
Nantwich's task was made harder when Ashley Westwood was dismissed late on for a second bookable offence.
The Pitmen withstood some late pressure to book a home clash with Conference South side Welling United.
Hednesford: Brock, Platt, Maguire (Burley 67), Gomes, Harvey, Marshall, Hall, Durrell, Barnett, Dyer, Draper (Sheppard 88).
Subs: Briggs, Harbutt.
Nantwich Town: Jones, Jarrett (Smith 83), Tickle, Tinson, Whittaker, Parkinson, Carter, Westwood, Walker, Lennon (Jack 74), Gibson.
Subs: Francis, Beeston, Roberts.
Referee: C.Rushton (Stone).
Attendance: 264.
