Northern Premier League Hednesford Town avenged their earlier FA Cup defeat to Darlaston with a 3-0 win to progress to the Second Round of the Walsall Senior Cup.

At the impressive Keys Park Stadium, a crowd of 407 witnessed an excellent cup tie as well as two spectacular second half goals.

Darlaston boss Dean Gill made three changes from the side that drew with Northwich Victoria at the weekend. Louis Baker returned to the starting line together with Rivel Mardenborough and Jack Downing. Tom Hurdman and Liam Wilkinson dropped to the bench, whilst Dom Perkins was cup tied.

The early stages were evenly contested, Hednesford central defenders Sam Griffiths and Michael Williams outstanding with their counterparts Alex Foreshaw and Ben Podmore also outstanding keeping former Bromsgrove and Rushall Olympic striker Demetri Brown at bay.

An early Hednesford chance fell to Joe Thompson who shot wide, after both teams had forced early corners which came to nothing, the home side took the lead on 18 minutes. Jack Kelly's free kick from wide on the left was headed home at the far post by Hednesford skipper Sam Griffiths.

The pace of Joe Morley and former Alvechurch striker James Spiers caused difficulties at the heart of the visitors defence without creating clear cut chances.

For the visitors Mardenborough and James Rowland were dangerous prompting and probing, again without creating clear opportunities as the home side went into the interval with a single goal lead.

Darlaston opened the second half strongly and had a strong penalty appeal turned down on 48 minutes, Mardenborough falling under a challenge from behind.

A piece of brilliant individual skill from Joe Morley on 56 minutes saw Hednesford double their lead. Picking up the ball from Lucas Yeomans 35 yards out, Morley slipped one challenge before cutting inside and striking a low drive into the bottom corner beyond the outstretched keeper Tom Carter.

For the visitors a Podmore header was comfortably saved by keeper Young and a Bishop effort from distance went high over the bar.

For Hednesford, Morley drove inches wide, before former Walsall midfielder James McQuilkin netted the third goal with a thunderous 25 yard effort to seal the win for the Northern Premier League side