ALFRETON Town chairman Wayne Bradley was left frustrated after the club were thwarted in their attempts to bring in players ahead of this week's transfer deadline.

The Reds tried to strengthen before the window closed on Tuesday night but, ultimately, without success.

During January, manager Nicky Law did manage to secure the permanent signings of central defenders Adam Quinn and Darran Kempson, while recruiting striker Louis Moult on loan from Premier League club Stoke City.

But Bradley would like to have done more as the club bid to ensure survival in their first Blue Square Bet Premier campaign.

"We have been left frustrated in the transfer market this time," he said.

"We have made bids for as many as six players, some of whom are out of contract in summer.

"Some are in the Football League, some in Conference Premier, Conference North and even the Evo-Stik Premier Division.

"But we have come up against some crazy wage demands from the players, higher valuations of the players by the parent clubs or a general combination of factors, which means we have missed out.

"It was certainly not for the lack of trying and we were actively trying to add to our squad right up to the deadline.

"It does not make us the paupers of the division but there are some crazy, crazy wage demands being asked – and being met elsewhere."

Law can console himself with the fact he did not lose any of his current squad to other clubs.

"If I am honest, we have also probably spent more time fending off bids and interest in our own players," Bradley added.

"Only time will tell but I still believe we have a strong enough and good enough squad to keep us in the Blue Square Bet Premier Division.

"We were delighted to land Darran Kempson. He has been a long-term target of ours, even before we signed Adam Quinn."

Kempson joined the Reds as a free agent following his release by Grimsby Town in December and made his debut in last Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Luton Town.

Tomorrow, Alfreton turn their attention back to the FA Trophy as they attempt to book a place in the quarter-finals.

The Reds travel to Tyneside to take on BSBP rivals Gateshead in a third round tie at the International Stadium, with £7,000 prize money also up for grabs.

They lost a league game there 2-0 in September but were unlucky not to come away with more than a 1-1 draw when the sides met at the Impact Arena in November.

Alfreton have only reached the fourth round twice before, in 2002-3, when they lost in a replay to eventual winners Burscough, and in 2004-5, eventually going out to Woking.

They are yet to concede a goal in this season's competition, having thumped Southport 4-0 and Weymouth 6-0.

Tomorrow, Law will be without Quinn and Moult, who both complete suspensions, as well as goalkeeper Joe Day as he continues to recover from a groin injury.

Gateshead's biggest goal threat will come from former Burton Albion front man Jon Shaw.

Shaw has scored 29 times already this season, including six in cup competitions so far.

His 23 goals in the league put him joint top scorer with Grimsby Town's former Alfreton striker Liam Hearn.

If a replay is needed, it will take place at the Impact Arena on Tuesday, which would mean finding a new date for the home league game with Mansfield Town.

AFTC Supporters' Association transport will leave for Gateshead at 9.15am. Seats can be booked by contacting Mark Thorpe on 01773 836251.