Caretaker manager Bernard McNally led Hednesford to an important home win on his return to Keys Park as the potency of attack made a welcome return.

Leamington played their part in an entertaining game, but it was the Pitmen who were clinical in front of goal and had the game sewn up within the first 35 minutes.

Ben Bailey opened the scoring on four minutes with a quality header from a pinpoint Elliott Durrell free kick.

Hednesford doubled their lead three minutes later when Durrell saw Tyrone Barnett down the right and the striker out paced Guy Sanders to slot he ball into the far corner.

Barnett could have had a second on 14 minutes, as new signing Zak Martin tied Michael Tuohy in knots to cross but his header went the wrong side of the post. Despite the home side’s superb start Sean Platt had to clear a Leamington header off the line, as three players queued up to score following some poor defending.

Leamington then settled down and enjoyed the lions share of possession an,d with Myckel Beckley and Marcus Jackson looking dangerou,s illustrated why they have scored so many goals this season.

Unfortunately they also showed obvious defensive frailties as Justin Nisbett cut in from the right, ghosted past three statuesque defenders and lashed a shot past Chris Kiely to make it 3-0.

Bernard McNally’s side were flying and confidence flowed through the side, as Durrell dinked past three defenders only to see his cross blocked.

With half time looming and Hednesford seeming comfortable, a Leamington free kick found Mark Bellingham in far too much space and he nodded the ball home with goalkeeper Gavin Ward nowhere.

The away side started the second half as they ended the first and Ward was called into action on 53 minutes to push a James Husband shot past the post.

From the resulting corner Barnett was adjudged to have fouled in challenging for the loose ball and Leon Broadhurst despatched the spot kick to make it 3-2.

For 10 minutes, the Pitmen’s midfield disappeared but Leamington failed to capitalise on the space allowed to them and paid the penalty when Ross Dyer broke free.

The striker rounded Kiely and cooly slotted the ball into an empty net to make the game safe. The home side weathered a late rally as Leamington pushed for a goal, but Ward stood firm on at least two occasions and Bernard McNally claimed a victory on his return to his old hunting ground.

And a win will certainly improve  his claim for the permanent managers position in the process.

Hednesford: Ward, Platt, Martin, Walker, Bailey (4), Lycett, Durrell, Aiston, Barnett (7), Dyer (74) (Gibson 84), Nisbett (Overton 61). Subs Not Used: Bandurak, Flynn, Amos, Bookings: Aiston, Gibson.

Leamington: Kiely, Tuohy, Sanders, Cooper, Gregory, Jackson (Murphy 70), Herlihy, Broadhurst (54), Beckley, Bellingham (45) (Corbett 55), Husband. Subs Not Used Travis, Anstiss, Reynolds

Attendance – 475