Shirebrook Town 1 Eccleshill United 3

Eccleshill are looking forward to the draw for the second round of the Northern Counties East League Challenge Cup after a comfortable win in the first round at Shirebrook Town.

United were facing a side bottom of the Premier Division but, after last week's frustrating 1-1 draw at struggling Glass-houghton Welfare, they were determined to succeed.

United, like neighbours and Premier Division rivals Liver-sedge, have a record of appearing to lack motivation for games against teams they should beat.

Manager Steve Watson said: "I knew it would be a tough game and it was. We know they are bottom of our division but facts like that give teams a real desire in cup games.

"They put up a good show and a bit of fight but I thought we passed it around well and our discipline was good. The wind caused havoc but we got the ball down and played football."

The visitors broke the deadlock in the 14th minute after forcing a corner. Ben Hardy got the delivery just right and Matt Dempsey converted a header from the far side of the area.

Shirebrook equalised midway through the half when a cross from near the corner flag swerved in the blustery conditions and Andy Jones managed to net a header.

From the same corner of the pitch, United retook the lead minutes after the interval. The home keeper ran towards that side of his area but Luke Hudson made the most of that rash decision with a well-flighted lob.

United won a corner just after the hour mark and Dempsey was again sent forward, netting a far-post header to make it 3-1.

"Dempsey was superb - and I don't just mean for his two headed goals," said Watson.

"He played at centre half and won everything that came his way in the air.

"His all-round play was very good and there will be players at our club looking at his performance and thinking that is what I have to do to get a first-team place' - and they would be right."