The game was billed beforehand as the biggest match of the season so far. Heys, save one weekend, have topped the table all season whilst Dukinfield arrived as the form team in the competition with six successive wins putting them in title contention. Whilst, seven points separated the sides at kick off both teams knew the outcome of the game, the first at Adie Moran Park since November 7th, would have a big impact on how the rest of the campaign panned out.

And the high stakes were reflected in an absorbing game of high intensity which fully met it’s pre match hype. Whilst it was not always for the purist there were moments of real quality from both sides, the fact there were not many chances owed to the great defensive skills on show and the pure determination and hard work shown throughout from two sides determined to succeed. This was two top sides going head to head.

In a tight and keenly contested first half Dukinfield showed why they have risen up the table. Strong defensively, physical and sharp in attack they gave Heys some anxious moments, not that Heys were without their chances too.

Heys started brightly, with some crisp passing but were forced into an early reshuffle when Jamie Baguley took a knock to be replaced by Erike Sousa who joined Paul Tierney in attack.

Both sides defences were well on top in the opening exchanges and it was not until the 25th minute that the first opening of note came when Mitchell Andrew saw a close range shot blocked by a last gasp Liam Foster lunge.

Heys were finding clear openings hard to find, with the visitor’s big defence dominant in the air but they also showed signs of being susceptible to pace with only last ditch tackles stopping Sousa and Tierney getting through.

White then went close with a free kick before the clearest chance of the game fell Dukinfield’s way in the 41st minute. As the ball broke in the box Karl Monks looked like he must score. The fact he did not was down to the reactions of Rob Sadler who smothered his effort at close range.

Whilst there was little if anything to choose between the teams at the break the opening moments of the second half saw the first signs of change. Playing up the slope into drier conditions Heys pace and movement began to create gaps in the visitors rearguard.

That’s not to say that Dukinfield carried no threat, indeed the first chance of the half went their way when Andrew shot over and the Heys back four of Darius Photiou, Jake Wood, Liam Foster and George Powell had to be on the guard.

However, the sheer industry of Heys who defended from front to back was showing clear signs of beginning to wear the visitors down.

Tierney went close with a header in the 64th minute and was clattered for his efforts but back on his feet it was he who broke the deadlock in the 68th minute.

A super long lofted pass out of defence by Wood surprisingly caused panic in the big Dukinfield defence as two defenders got in each others way and when the ball broke to Tierney he delivered an assured finished with a shot into the bottom corner.

Heys now had the impetus and increased their lead in the 76th minute. Sousa, who never stopped running all game, ran at the heart of a tiring defence before laying a deft pass into the path of the over lapping White who then let fly with a rasping shot into the far top corner.

The match was still not won though. Dukinfield roused themselves for one last effort. Foster and Shaun Johnson made timely interventions and it took a great save by Sadler, stretching low to push a deflected Andrews shot round the post to snuff out any chance of a comeback.

This was Heys most complete performance of the season and needed to be against a strong Dukinfield side who will pick up many more points on the run in, ready to pounce should Heys slip.