The visitors started the brighter, forcing a succession of early corners and putting the Elston defence under pressure. But the home side stood firm, with Toby Cullen producing a fine save to keep the scores level.

Elston gradually grew into the game and, after James Scott had fired wide following good work from Louis Cross, the home side took the lead in the 22nd minute. Barney Repper delivered a dangerous free-kick and Scott shrugged off his marker to head home.

The Clams had chances to extend their advantage before the break. Jacob Mulliss raced onto James Clarke’s pass only to see his chip drift agonisingly wide, while Scott and Mulliss both narrowly failed to connect with another excellent Repper cross.

Elston’s disciplined and hard-working defensive display continued after half-time, frustrating Bilborough and restricting the visitors to few clear opportunities. At the other end, Elston looked increasingly dangerous.

After Scott was denied by a last-gasp tackle and Cross fired over, the second goal finally arrived on 70 minutes. Scott was brought down inside the box and picked himself up to convert the resulting penalty.

Bilborough pulled one back from the spot five minutes later, but Elston responded almost immediately. Harry Johnson’s corner found Ryan Fletcher at the far post, who headed home to restore the two-goal cushion.

Clarke then struck the post and Johnson forced a fine save before the pair combined for Elston’s fourth, Johnson setting up Clarke to emphatically finish from a tight angle and complete an excellent 4-1 victory.

Elston United: Toby Cullen, Barney Repper, Tom Hazelwood (Curtis French 65), Jake Ledbetter, Sam Lloyd, Archie Dillon (Jude Hazzledine 65), Louis Cross (Harry Scott 70), Ryan Fletcher, James Scott, James Clarke, Jacob Mulliss (Harry Johnson 70).