A second half penalty from Matt Rhead proved enough after another gritty and determined performance saw Alfreton Town move up to fourth position in the National League North league standings after a first win over visitors Blyth Spartans in five meetings on Saturday afternoon.

Both sides knew the importance of the fixture as Blyth fresh from a win at relegation rivals Farsley Celtic on Tuesday night knew a victory would make them all but safe while Alfreton knew a win in their final home game of the regular season would go a long way to confirming their participation in the end of season play offs.

In front of a gate of 706 Spectators, The Reds had the first opening of the contest with just two minutes elapsed as Bailey Hobson neatly played in Yusifu Ceesay but his effort was saved by Spartans keeper Alex Mitchell.

It was an end to end affair in the opening stages and the dangerous Cedric Main saw his stooping header saved by Willis on twelve minutes.

Following a Jordan Thewlis freekick Yusifu Ceesay was sent sprinting down the left flank on 18 minutes but when he cut inside he struck his effort well wide of the target.

Chances were at a premium for both sides in a tight and well contested first half.
Just moments after JJ O`Donnell had turned and fired wide for the visitors, Bailey Hobson had the clearest chance for either side in the opening 45 as he latched on to a flick on from Matt Rhead and saw his fierce volley well saved by Mitchell in the Spartans goal at the expense of a corner which Matt Rhead`s low shot cleared off the line by Blyth defender Liddle.

Eight minutes before the break Reds defender Dom Smith climbed highest to connect with a trademark Adam Lund long throw in but couldnt direct his header on target.

Just two minutes in to the second half Curtis Main latched on to a long ball from Blyth keeper Mitchell, rounded George Willis in the Alfreton net and looked certain to give the Norththumberland based club the lead but for an absolutely outstanding goal line clearance from Dwayne Wiley kept the score at 0-0 .
On 51 minutes came the decisive moment of the game.
Michael Liddle was judged to have handled a cross by referee Matthew Scholes who avoided Alfreton a freekick but after consultation with the linesman overturned his decision and awarded the Reds a spotkick.

Despite what felt like endless and sometimes farcical delaying of the taking of the penalty by the visitors Matt Rhead used all his experience and kept his cool to beat Mitchell from 12 yards to give the Reds the lead.

Matt Rhead, Jordan Thewlis and Adam all left the fray with injuries as Blyth began to dominate possession.

A typically rock solid rearguard action from the Alfreton backline once again stood up to the examination as Blyth tried in vain to find a way back in to the contest.

On 76 minutes George Willis pulled off a superb save to deny JJ O`Donnell after the Blyth striker had found a pocket of space in the area.

Michael Liddle tried to atone for giving away the penalty but his well struck effort whistled wide of the post with 89 minutes on the watch.

Eight additional minutes were signaled at the end of the 90 minutes. but the Reds dug in to their credit and Yusifu Ceesay was sent sprinting down the left with Bailey Hobson in support. Ceesay found Hobson with an accurate pass but the Alfreton man was thwarted by a brilliantly timed tackle by Richdarson.

Alfreton held firm to seal the vital three points which saw them move up to fourth in the league table ahead of a visit to the Horsfall Stadium to face relegation-threatened Bradford Park Avenue on Wednesday Night.

ALFRETON: Willis, Clackstone,Teale,Cantrill,Smith,Wiley,Ceesay,Lund (Branson 77),Rhead (Denton 59),Thewlis (Southwell 49),Hobson
other subs: Askew,Salam