The home side started strongly, trying to sweep aside the Blues, Nathan Woolfe and Neil Harvey whipping in shots from the edge of the penalty area in quick succession in the 14th minute, while Francino Francis headed just wide at the far post after a 19th minute right hand corner kick.

Elliott Durrell got clear for Town in the 21st minute, only to be robbed by a well timed dive from Tom Woodhead.

A 25 yard volley on the turn by Danny South skimmed the bar as Frickley showed their attacking prowess, and they stunned Hednesford four minutes later when Chris Wood cut in from the left and had a low shot blocked by keeper Dan Crane with Jimmy Ghaichem knocking in the rebound from close range.

Town got on terms in the 36th minute when Dave MacPherson was judged to have been brought down by Jake McCormick, and Durrell converted the resultant penalty.

This inspired the home side, and it needed a wonderful save by Woodhead to deny Harvey after he had broke clear on the stroke of half-time.
Woodhead produced another brace of exceptional saves straight after the restart and had a strike of luck when a Woolfe shot came back off the post and into his arms.

However, he was beaten in the 51st minute when a cross from the left was glanced into the net by Harvey.

Luke Hinsley replaced McCormick as Frickley continued to absorb pressure, a free-kick from the right being headed in at the far post by Harvey for their third goal after 67 minutes.

The Blues came back, South finding Ghaichem with a through ball in the 72nd minute, only for a defender to block his shot, while a low 20 yard drive by South went close five minutes later.

Ghaichem caused havoc with a left wing corner kick in the 79th minute and Tom Johnston reduced the arrears with a close range shot.

A rising drive from Ghaichem clipped the bar in the 86th minute while, at the other end, Michael Lennon raced clear from the halfway line and rounded both Woodhead and Luke Jeffs before the keeper recovered to smother his shot.

Hednesford: Dan Crane, John Disney, Darren Campion, Sam Barnes, Francino Francis, Dave MacPherson, Jamie Osborne, Elliott Durrell, Neil Harvey (Sean O'Connor 78min), Aaron Rey (Michael Lennon 58min), Nathan Woolfe (Phil Clarke 74min); subs not used, Ben Bailey, Alex Melbourne.

Frickley: Tom Woodhead, Jason Yates, Luke Jeffs, Terry Barwick, Scott Hellewell, Tom Johnston, Jake McCormick (Luke Hinsley 58min), Matty Bloor, Danny South, Chris Wood, Jimmy Ghaichem; subs not used, Blake Freeman, Reece Fennell, Lee Stratford, Ben Hallam.

Referee: Mr S Richards.

Gate: 418