Heys came into this re-arranged Macron Cup tie looking to extend their winning run to six matches in all competitions following an impressive 2-0 victory at Chadderton last time out. Originally scheduled for October 24th but postponed due to the weather, New Mills' visit to Adie Moran Park provided a stern test, with the visitors pushing the hosts all the way before Heys secured their place in the third round.

The hosts started brightly and almost took an early lead when Louie Hutchinson's second-minute corner found Ellis Richardson, whose header drifted wide.

Heys continued to dominate possession and created further opportunities through James Badrock and Jamal Crawford, while at the other end Jack Buckley was called into action to deny Will Frankish after a rare New Mills breakaway.

The breakthrough arrived on twenty-four minutes when a Hutchinson corner was only partially cleared, and when Takura Sambizi recycled the ball back into the danger area, captain James Badrock rose highest to head beyond goalkeeper Joseph Oldham and hand Heys a deserved lead.

With confidence growing, Bryson Appleton twice went close to doubling the advantage. The winger forced Oldham into a save before Ellis Richardson's follow-up was scrambled clear, while another headed effort drifted narrowly wide.

Despite Heys controlling much of the first half, New Mills struck back just before the interval. James Green found space behind the defence and finished calmly past Buckley to send the sides in level at 1-1.

The home side responded positively after the restart. Crawford headed narrowly wide from another dangerous Hutchinson delivery before appeals for a penalty were waved away when Abdul Djalo went down inside the area.

Their pressure finally told on fifty-five minutes. Appleton unleashed a fierce strike from distance which brought an excellent save from Oldham. From the resulting corner, New Mills failed to clear their lines and after a scramble inside the six-yard box, Appleton reacted quickest to force home and restore Heys' lead.

Although Heys remained on top, New Mills refused to go away and continued to pose a threat, ensuring the game remained finely balanced.

The breathing space Heys craved finally arrived in the eighty-ninth minute. Just two minutes after entering the action, substitute Louis Holt met an excellent Crawford cross with a stooping header that found the bottom corner to make it 3-1.

There was still time for one final twist as Frankish reduced the deficit a minute later, setting up a tense finish. However, Heys managed the closing stages well, with Holt, Ellis Richardson and Liam Cuthbert helping run valuable seconds from the clock before the referee's final whistle confirmed victory.

New Mills deserve credit for pushing Heys all the way, but the hosts produced the decisive moments when it mattered most to secure a sixth consecutive victory in all competitions.

The result books Heys a third-round Macron Cup trip to Litherland REMYCA on November 21st, but before then attention turns to Saturday's FA Vase Second Round tie away at West Didsbury & Chorlton. Confidence is high within the Heys camp after six successive victories and Ryan Hutchinson's side will be eager to keep that momentum going as they look to avoid any Halloween scares and book their place in the next round.

Attendance: 129

TEAM: Jack Buckley, David Badrock, Louie Hutchinson, James Badrock, Alistair Bracken, Nicholas Dre Taylor, Jamal Crawford, Abdul Djalo, Ellis Richardson, Bryson Appleton, Takura Sambizi.

Subs: Matthew Smyth (for Bracken 85 mins), Liam Cuthbert (for Appleton 71 mins), Louis Holt (for Sambizi 87 mins), Lucas Bancroft (for Dre Taylor 67 mins), Lewis Ayres (for Djalo 71 mins),

Goals: Prestwich Heys: James Badrock (24), Bryson Appleton (55), Louis Holt (89). New Mills: James Green (45), Will Frankish (90).

Booked: Ellis Richardson (40).