The goal came somewhat against the run of play as Heanor looked the more likely to score in the second half and indeed missed a number of chances to force an equaliser in the closing stages of the game.

Les McJannet made four changes from the side which beat Shepshed last time out. Ashley Grayson was cup-tied, Terry Hawkridge was unavailable and Neil Grayson and Ian Brown moved to the bench with Ryan Goward, Rob Gill, Ruben Wiggins-Thomas and Theo Smith coming into the starting XI.

The early stages were tight with Heanor showing the same commitment that had kept the friendly between these sides in the summer a close affair.

The Millers almost scored on 23 minutes when Wiggins-Thomas attempted a most unusual goal, with his backside, after some good work by Adam Kimberley.

That set the scene for a short period of Carlton pressure culminating in the Lions keeper Mark Frost hauling down Wiggins-Thomas as he rounded him and looked set to score. It was difficult to understand why the referee thought the foul only meritorious of a caution – a clear goal-scoring opportunity it most certainly was – and Frost rubbed salt into the Millers’ wounds by saving Gill’s weak penalty.

Heanor took heart and Nathan Benger headed just wide of the target before Daniel Fletcher made one excellent saving tackle and Danny Marshall was called upon to make a good save.

Wiggins-Thomas almost scored on half time after an excellent run into the area, but Frost made a decent save.

Into the second half and Carlton could have scored within 20 seconds after Smith missed his kick following a good run by Kimberley.

Heanor however pushed Carlton back for periods without creating any clear chances but as time ticked by it looked as if the visitors, if anyone, would be the more likely to get a winner.

That was until the 76th minute when the home side took the lead. Nick Hall headed goalwards and Frost pulled off a tremendous save, pushing the ball out for a corner. The ball was sprayed short and Kimberly laid it off to the edge of the box where Kitchen met it with a sweet strike that flew into the corner of the net.

Heanor went in search of an equaliser and the Millers sat deep inviting trouble. Marshall made a terrific save with four minutes remaining, tipping a goalbound effort over the bar. Two minutes later the Lions went closer, hitting the post and then being denied by a desperate clearance by Fletcher.

From the resultant throw-in the visitors had a clear chance from six yards but shot wide.

As the game entered injury time they had another great chance inside the area but hit the side netting and Carlton were grateful to hear the final whistle.

Carlton Town: Marshall, Thornton, Fletcher, Kitchen, Millns, Goward, Smith (Hollis 83), Hall, Kimberley (Brown 89), Gill (N Grayson 79), Wiggins-Thomas. Unused substitute: Clarke

Goal: Kitchen 76

Carlton Town Supporters Club MOTM: Ashley Kitchen

Att: 101