Heys didn't always have it their own way against a lively and industrious LR side but they always looked to have the measure of their opponents and were ultimately good value for a win that made it four games unbeaten for Jon Lyons side.

The hosts made a lively start with Jamie Sinnott firing an angled shot across the face of goal and Jacob Holt stinging the hands of former Heys ‘keeper Daniel Havern, in the LR goal, with a 20-yard shot.

However, it was Atherton who were to come closest to scoring in the 7th minute. A great run though the middle by Dominic Barnes ended with a well struck shot from the edge of the area that cannoned off the post.

With victories in their previous two outings, LR grew in confidence, making it hard for Heys to establish any real rhythm. Set pieces offered the best route to goal for the home side and Arian Bellamy almost stole in from a Max White free kick but couldn’t keep his shot down.

Come the drinks break it was arguably LR who went into it the happier, but it served to work against them.

On the resumption, Heys visibly upped the ante and took the lead in the 32nd minute. A midfield interception by Max White saw him seize possession and quickly steer the ball into the path of Payne who showed great composure in cutting into the box and then steering a curling shot low into the bottom far corner of the net.

Indeed, Payne was at the hub of Heys best work. His great run and cross was begging for the touch that would guarantee a goal but eluded everyone.

Havern then denied Payne, keeping out his shot with a fine close range save after some wing trickery by Rio Wilson-Heyes had opened the LR defence.

On the stroke of half time, a White corner found Payne at the far post but his downwards header bounced up over the bar.

Heys looked to maintain their grip on proceedings on the restart. Payne had a shot blocked and Havern had to be alert, racing off his line to halt a surging run by Darius Photiou.

Heys pressure told in the 53rd minute in stunning fashion. A foul some 20 yards out represented a good free-kick opportunity which Shawcross accepted with a glorious finish, his stunning shot beating the despairing dive of Havern to nestle in the top corner.

LR responded well and Daniel Ashburner had a good chance as the ball broke loose from a corner but under pressure from Heys stopper Russell Saunders he lifted his shot over.

Shawcross, buoyed by his goal, looked to put the game beyond the visitors with a jinxing run into the box but his shot curled just wide.

LR were in mood to throw in the towel and ten minutes from time, opened Heys up on the left. However, Saunders reacted quickly to come out and smother Jacob Hancock’s shot.

The save seemed to sap the remaining energy from the visitors and Heys were able to see the remaining minutes out to collect three valuable points and continue their climb up the table.

TEAM: Russell Saunders (Capt), Darius Photiou, Jacob Holt, Max White, Adrian Bellamy, Danny Vincent, Shelton Payne, Brad Sixsmith, Jamie Sinnott, Will Shawcross, Rio Wilson-Heyes Subs: Justin Pickering (for Payne 67 mins), Dom Slaven (for Wilson-Heyes 81 mins), Haydn Foulds (for Sinnott 59 mins), Kieron Sherlock, Jordan Pendlebury.