Report: Reds run ends in frustrating defeat to new leaders

Alfreton Town's four game winning run in the National League North came to an end in frustrating fashion as the Reds were unable to find their form despite second half goals from Ben Tomlinson and Amari Morgan-Smith in a rocking Walks Stadium on Tuesday night.

The defeat against the new league leaders sees us slip to fifth place in what proved to be a difficult contest for the Reds who never really grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck.

The game started in the worst possible manner for us as we fell behind after just two minutes when Culnan bent one with the outside of his foot into the corner from the edge of the box. It was a goal which lifted the crowd who played a huge part and didn't allow the Reds to settle into the game.

Our attacking moments came through flick on's from Danny Clarke and Amari Morgan-Smith but these were all seen out of play from the hosts. The crowd continued to cheer every mis-placed pass, stray clearance and break down in attack from the Reds.

Gash headed over at the far post from a cross on the left before the Linnets thought they scored again when a shot from outside the box hit a host player and went in but the offside flag was raised.

Bobby Johnson had a free kick which was collected by Street before Marriott surged down the right before cutting inside and firing wide of the near post.

We did pressure with Amari's shot being blocked inside the box, the ball stayed in play near the corner flag as we recycled but the Linnets cleared successive crosses. However with 27 minutes gone it was 2-0 when Payne found the corner from 20 yards to give the hosts daylight in the game.

Kings Lynn were playing neat attacking football and moving the ball well throughout our midfield. We looked to respond as Bobby's shot took a deflection which Street had to save at the near post. Ryan Qualter headed the corner wide.

Amari found Wilde on the left who skipped past a challenge into the box but saw his shot blocked, Street pounced on the loose ball before Amari could react.

The second half saw the Reds come out early and we started the second period well, Danny East headed a Clackstone cross wide, East then delivered a free kick towards the far post which Qualter bundled in but the offside flag went up.

East curled a free kick from 20 yards into the side netting before Clackstone fired way over the bar after good hold up play from Amari. However with 63 gone the Linnets were sent down to ten men when McAuley was shown a straight red card for a trailing elbow on Amari who was chasing behind him.

The home crowd were furious with the decision and booed Amari at every opportunity but the game kept getting broken up by fouls so momentum was so difficult to generate for Billy Heath's men.

Atkinson denied Gash at the far post with a header before he curled just over the bar inside the box.

Then with 79 minutes gone we did pull one back when Ben Tomlinson bundled home from Wilde's ball in. But a body blow arrived just three minutes later when Marriott strode forward and hammered one into the bottom corner past Jack at his near post.

We made it 3-2 in stoppage time when Clackstone's free kick wasn't cleared and Amari was on hand to fire home past Street. However there was no time left as the first half damage was done for the Reds in what proved to be a disappointing defeat.

However we will look to bounce back on Saturday when Curzon Ashton visit the Impact and maintain what has been a strong start to the season so far. Kick off is 3pm.

ATFCXI: Atkinson, Clackstone, Wilde (c), Lynch, Killock (Tomlinson 67), Qualter, Thacker, Smith, Clarke (Blake 73), Morgan-Smith, Johnson (East 45).

Subs Not Used: Whitham, Williams.

Referee: R. Whitton
Attendance: 1203