Brackley opened the scoring in the sixth minute of the contest and that was enough to seal all three points in front of a bumper non league day crowd at St James Park of 891.

Riccardo Calder was dangerous all afternoon for Brackley and his excellent cross was met by a queue of attackers but it was George Carline who rose highest and beat George Willis in net for his second goal of the season.

Before the match Brackley were on a run of five clean sheets, a run that never looked like it was going to be broken by Ofton. Alfreton’s only big chance of the afternoon came when Jake Day was played through on twenty minutes, but he was unable to get any considerable connection on the ball and the chance was easily saved.

The Reds never really got going at any point in the contest and multiple individual errors provided openings for the hosts.

Calder had an effort blocked before working an ideal shooting position only to fire too high and wide in a let-off for the Ofton before the half was brought to a close.

The second half saw more of the same with Saints close to going further ahead as a short back pass almost let in Connor Hall but his goalbound effort was cleared in the nick of time by Nathan Newall

Alfreton’s day was made worse by the fact that Brisley, McDonagh and Clackstone were all forced force off with injury across the course of the ninety minutes. Reds boss Billy Heath noted after the match that all three would be assessed through the week ahead of an Easter weekend double header.

A late effort to put some pressure onto the Brackley defence came to nothing and Alfreton headed home empty handed as final whistle was blown and Brackley became the first side to complete a league double over Alfreton since Gateshead in 2021/22 season.

Brackley Town: Lewis, Dean, Lilly, Carline, Calder, Murombedzi, O’Sullivan, Roberts, Lyttle, Hall (Turner 72), Newton. Subs unused: Cross, Gudger, Bates, Armson.

Alfreton Town: Willis, Digie, Wiley, Brisley (Fewster 28), Clackstone (Ram 50), Newall, Waldock, Lund, Cantrill, Day, McDonagh (Thewlis 66). Subs unused: Taylor, Salmon.

Next up for Alfreton is the Good Friday visit of Rushall Olympic in National League North before we head into the final five fixtures of the season.