It was a frustrating night for The Ambers as they failed to take advantage of a Heanor side that was reduced to 10 men after just 10 minutes. Skipper James Cotterill was back in the starting line-up after his one game suspension and Warren Burrell also returned, as new signing Danny Critchlow took his place on the bench.

After a strong start from the home side in which the dangerous Ricketts twice went close, the game looked set to change in our favour when Sam Smith was brought down as he bore down on the home goal. The referee had no choice but to red card the Heanor defender Hawes. Nothing came from the free kick but the travelling fans only had to wait another five minutes before a Smith shot was blocked but fell kindly to Lee Whittington who cleverly tucked it away for 1-0.

Heanor then took the game to Handsworth and forced four successive corners which came to nothing and The Ambers seemed happy to invite pressure and hit Town on the break, which they did very effectively midway through the half with Luke Fletcher at the forefront as he hit the post and then shot narrowly wide after a terrific solo run. Nicky Travis then tried his luck after good work by Whittington but his shot was also off target.

This wastefulness in front of goal then came back to bite The Ambers as another Heanor corner was met at the near post by unmarked centre back Henshaw and the score was 1-1 on the stroke of half time.

Handsworth were quickest out of the blocks in the second half and Whittington was desperately unlucky to see his clean strike cannon back off the post with the keeper well beaten. However, a minute later, Archie Sneath was called into action with a magnificent save to deny Town the lead. It was now thrilling end to end stuff with both sides pushing for the advantage and it was the home side who were getting closer as a free header flashed wide.

It was then all change as debutant Critchlow replaced Whittington, soon followed by Callum Ward and Vill Powell for Travis and Smith respectively as The Ambers chased the winner, but the pace of the game seemed to slow and looked like it would drift into a draw. However, Heanor then introduced the speedy Grantham and his pace down the left wing caught the visiting defence out more than once and four minutes from time, drew an illegal challenge from Ryan Johnson which resulted in a penalty and a red card for the unfortunate right back.

The penalty was duly despatched by Jones and the game ended shortly after with The Ambers on the wrong end of a 2-1 scoreline which has now opened up a five point gap between the two clubs. Heanor seemed to be a much stronger proposition than they were last season and their robust approach will make them serious title contenders.