Non-League football: Alfreton end wait for a win

ALFRETON Town brought an end to a run of three successive Blue Square North defeats by recording a four-goal victory over Hyde United for the second time this season.

The Reds were three goals up after 25 minutes at the Impact Arena, as Hyde were reduced to 10 men with only 12 minutes gone when Chris Lynch was dismissed for denying Paul Clayton a goal-scoring opportunity.

That led to a penalty, converted by Liam Hearn, that doubled Alfreton's advantage after Ben Mills gave them an 11th-minute lead.

By then, there had already been a couple of clear chances squandered by the hosts.

After only 75 seconds, Clayton's lob was tipped over by Michael Jones, then Hearn headed over from eight yards from an Ian Ross free-kick.

Two minutes after scoring, Mills missed an easier chance from half the distance when he side-stepped Scott McNiven but dwelt too long and allowed the defender to shield the ball as the keeper gathered it.

A third goal after 25 minutes put the Reds well in command, Ross curling the ball around Jones from just inside the area.

Josh Law added the fourth goal after 70 minutes, hooking in from a tight angle, as Alfreton cruised to victory.

ALFRETON TOWN: Gamble, Law, Roma, Aisien, McFadzean, Ross, Istead, Mills (Kerry, 73), Clayton, Hearn (Starosta, 81), Todd (Shaw, 89). Other subs: Wilson, Matthewson.

HYDE UNITED: Jones, Mercer, Lees, S McNiven, Rick, D'Laryea, Lynch, Manship, D McNiven (Mooney, 72), Hurst, Holsgrove. Other subs: Harrison, Rowbotham, Tolson, Burns.

REFEREE: P Bramley (Leeds).

ATTENDANCE: 302.