ALFRETON Town had their key Blue Square North game against play-off rivals Droylsden sewn up by half-time with a scintillating performance at the Impact Arena last night.

It was the first time the Reds have beaten Droylsden in this division at the ninth attempt.

The die was cast in the 13th minute when Alfreton took an early lead.

Aden Flint played Liam Hearn through and though goalkeeper Paul Phillips blocked with his legs, the danger was kept alive as Chris Shaw sprayed the ball wide to Chris Hall.

His cross allowed Paul Clayton to accelerate and power a low drive into the far corner of the net to leave Droylsden visibly stunned.

A superb ball down the right from Josh Law sent Hearn to the bye-line in the 29th minute and, despite over-running it, Phillips was deceived and Jake Moult ran in the second goal from close range.

It was 3-0 to the Reds in the 38th minute when Clayton lobbed the ball forward and defender Lee Roche's wayward back header left Phillips stranded as Hearn nipped in and took the ball around him to finish in style.

Droylsden had their moments, too, with Flint having to clear off the line from Tony Gray in the 26th minute, while Reds keeper Paddy Gamble pulled off tremendous saves from Alex Brown and Shaun Whalley in first-half added time.

There was worse to come for Droylsden after the break as Hearn went on to complete his third hat-trick for the club in the last 14 months after Clayton saw a 49th-minute volley held by Phillips.

With 56th minutes on the clock, Ian Ross played Hearn through for the striker to score with an angled drive from the edge of the area.

Two minutes later, a back heel from Clayton sent Hearn skipping past two static Droylsden defenders before dispatching the ball beyond Phillips from six yards.

ALFRETON TOWN: Gamble, Law, Shaw, Flint, McFadzean, Ross (Law, 78), Moult, Anton Brown, Clayton, Hearn (Todd, 77), Hall (Howell, 58). Other subs: Bowler, Roma.

DROYLSDEN: Phillips, Roche, Brownhill, Byron (Halford, 29), Cryan, Sorvell (Smith, 62), Alex Brown, Barwick, Gray, Mansaram (Prince, 62), Whalley. Other subs: Vaughan, Meechan.

REFEREE: C Grundy (Sheffield).

ATTENDANCE: 410.