Five goals and a saved penalty in a breathless first half ensured plenty of conversation over the half-time cuppa, with the Bucks enjoying a narrow Boxing Day advantage.

Lewis Salmon had given Alfreton a tenth minute lead after being teed up by Jake Day, but the hosts were behind for just eight minutes before a right flank corner was converted at close range by Kieran Burton.

The leveller had come moments after a goal-line clearance at the opposite end from a Reds' flag-kick, Alfreton going on to rue a couple of missed opportunities from both Day and Salmon before Buxton took the lead on 28 minutes.

This time it was a withering run down the left by Luke Brennan that led to a simple header from Tommy Elliott, but the Reds fought back again to equalise at 2-2 in the 35th minute.

This time it was Billy Whitehouse exploiting space on the left to deliver the perfect cross for Max Hunt's bullet header at the back post to score against his former employers.

That wasn't the cessation of activity by any means with Buxton awarded a penalty just four minutes later, with George Willis pulling off a superb save from Connor Kirby.

The half ended with Ben Sault persevering on the edge of the area to sidestep defenders and restore the home side's lead, much to the disappointment of the travelling contingent.

This Derbyshire derby had an explosion of excitement in the first 45 minutes, so the second half proved to be a difficult act to follow, and despite Alfreton's best efforts to salvage the situation there were no further goals, although Nathan Newall looked certain to score on 54 with keeper True Grant somehow saving with his trailing leg and at the other end Willis had to stretch to tip over a 74th minute rasper from Brennan.

ALFRETON: Willis; Clackstone, Anson, Hunt, Newall, Cantrill,
Lund [Perritt 60], Whitehouse [Moyo 88], Abbey, Salmon [Matwasa 71, Day.
other subs: Wiley, Askew.

Referee: Robert Claussen
Att: 938