Heys always looked in control of the game but looked set to endure a frustrating afternoon as they spurned a host of chances and saw Lee Bruce hit the bar against a resolute home side.

Although the hosts rarely troubled, the longer the game went on without a goal the chance remained they could snatch one particularly with Heys old boy Martin Love in lively form.

However, with the clock ticking Tierney eased the nerves. Starting the game at left back, he was switched to the attack as Heys sought the break through and he duly delivered.

From the start Heys seized the initiative with some sharp passing releasing Lee Bruce but he lifted his shot over.

Dalton McLaughlin was next to test the Gregs goal but his low shot was gathered by Danny Wolstenholme.

Love made his first intervention on the twenty-minute mark, running at the Heys defence he laid the ball into the path of Mark Fairclough but with a clear sight of goal he lifted his shot over.

It was a rare opportunity as Heys continued to dominate possession and Bruce fired over from close range after a Tierney header had been blocked in the 25th minute.

Some spirited defending continued to frustrate Heys and with Love looking hungry to get one over his former team mates it took a great last ditch tackle by Liam Foster to deny him.

Although Heys had been in control there was a feeling that they needed to up the ante and there was certainly more zest in their play at the start of the second half as McLaughlin had a shot blocked and then from the ensuing corner Bruce saw a fierce effort from the edge of the box smack against the crossbar.

With Jake Wood and Foster taking control at the back, the threat Gregs had posed in the first half was not as evident with Heys camping in the home half.

As Heys pressed and pressed so Gregs dug deeper and continued to snuff Heys efforts out. When they did get a clear sight of goal Wood headed over from a corner and then Wolstenholme dropped low to push a Danny White shot round the post.

When McLaughlin and Bruce combined to give Adam Hilton a clear shooting opportunity only for the latter to totally scuff his shot it looked like being one of those days.

Despite the fear that one mistake may let Gregs in and the clock ticking Heys to their credit showed no signs of panic as they continued to play their football, probing for that one chance.

With eight minutes remaining they got it. Ramping up the pace, Erike Sousa burst into the box and when he crossed low to the near post Tierney showed quick feet to score with a deft flick of the outside of the boot to divert the ball into the far corner.

This was a victory based on patience and persistence from Heys. For all the big wins they have had this season, if they go on to win the title, this win against a well drilled Gregs side may be one they look back on as a key success.