Alex Morris found the back of the net to restore Gresley’s advantage before the break and shortly after the restart the Moatmen were reduced to ten-men, Steve Hart the recipient of a red card. Mid-way through the second half Jamie Walker levelled the match to earn a point away from home for the Blues.

The stalemate against second placed Gresley maintained the six-point gap between the sides at the summit of the United Counties League Premier Division North table.

Ian Deakin made one change to the starting 11 as Mitchell Robinson replaced Marley Fearon in midfield.

Gresley put the pressure on The Blues from kick-off and made it count in the ninth minute. Munday closed down Sam Wilson, blocked the goalkeeper’s clearance and rolled the ball into the vacant net to establish an early lead.

Long Eaton looked most effective out wide, Jamie Walker and Brad Wilson bombarded the Gresley defence with crosses as they looked for a reply.

At the other end of the pitch swashbuckling full-back George Clark led the counterattack and picked out Munday with a well-weighted cross, although the striker’s close-range strike was stopped by Sam Wilson.

Graham levelled the match on the half-hour mark – his initial header struck the bar, but no one was beating the Blues’ skipper to the follow up, which Graham converted with a strong header.

Gresley were determined to finish the half on top, Hart tried his luck from range and forced Sam Wilson to make an outstanding reflex save as the ball zipped towards the top corner.

In the run-up to half-time Gresley regained their one-goal advantage. Hart delivered a corner kick to the back post and Morris thumped the ball into the back of the net with a header at the far post.

Hart was causing trouble for the Long Eaton defence, his chipped cross found Munday unmarked, yet the free header was hit over the bar.

Just 12 minutes into the second half The Moatmen were reduced to ten men, after a foul on Brad Wilson and a lengthy discussion with the referee, Hart was given his marching orders.

After the dismissal the Blues took control, Jamie Walker threatened down the right wing and scored the second equaliser of the match in the 70th minute. Substitute James Taylor dribbled down the flank before Jamie took over possession, cut inside and curled the ball beyond Lewis Fenney to restore parity.

Half chances came for Kam Campbell and James Shaw late on, but Gresley Rovers resisted the Long Eaton attacks in added time and the match finished level.