Alfreton Town cruise past Curzon Ashton to keep up good form

Top scorer Sam Jones set their victory up with a goal after just two minutes and 15 seconds.

His confidence knows no bounds these days, evident by the sweetest of finishes after a prolonged central run had seen him shrug off at least three challenges before slotting the ball past keeper Hakan Burton from 12 yards.

It was Jamie Jackson though, brought back into the side at the expense of Sam Smith, who stole the show, mystifyingly ruled off-side from an angled drive that found the corner of the net after Lindon Meikle had pulled the ball back from the bye-line in the 31st minute.

Earlier the enigmatic striker had gone close with a volley from Dan Bradley’s 22nd minute pass, then four minutes before half-time Jackson forced Burton into a stretching save as he aimed for the top corner of the net from another Bradley cross.

Jackson sealed a fine performance with the second goal, coincidentally two minutes and 15 seconds into the second half, when Bradley’s searching pass down the right released him on a run at goal, and after side-stepping the keeper rolled the ball into the vacant net.

The only other change made by manager Nicky Law was to give Cecil Nyoni his debut, but Andi Thanoj’s replacement had a quiet evening after a lengthy spell without playing any games.

Curzon Ashton were largely restricted to long-range efforts, thanks to another immaculate display by an increasingly competent Reds’ rearguard,a free-kick from Alex Brown on 25 minutes repelled by the defensive wall, Niall Cummins firing over from a good position midway through the second half and Matt Duke saving comfortably from Joe Guest ten minutes from time.

Joe Leesley went close with free-kicks either side of the break and Jones might have done better from another inviting Bradley cross on 72 minutes, otherwise it was acceptable fare for the travelling fans who saw their team stretch their unbeaten run to nine games.

There was however concern for both Meikle and Bradley, who had to be replaced following injury, but at least with playing on a Monday night these key players have five days to recover before Saturday’s trip to Kidderminster to face Worcester City.

ALFRETON: Duke; Moyo, McGowan, Jordan, Allan, Bradley (Wilson 90+5), Leesley, Nyoni, Meikle (Heaton 61), Jones, Jackson (Robertson 85).

Subs not used: Smith, Thanoj.

ATTENDANCE: 271.

REFEREE: Paul Marsden.

MOM:Sam Jones.