Report: Reds slump to fifth straight defeat

Alfreton Town's poor run of form dragged on as Telford United eased to a 3-0 victory at the New Bucks Head on Boxing Day, handing the Reds a fifth loss in a row in all competitions.

Telford struck after 17 minutes when Barnett skipped past two Reds challenges before crossing into the box when former Red Brendon Daniels slid in, but the ball looked to have come off Ryan Qualter as it went into the net.

The Bucks added a second just before the break when Barnett lead a hosts counter attack, running at Danny Preston before gaining the extra yards past the Reds defender before finishing across Jordan Wright into the top corner.

The third completed the contest with 69 gone, Barnett again involved as his cross took a deflection on its way to Stenson who finished with volley in the box past Wright to compound more misery on Billy Heath's men.

The game started in scrappy fashion from both sides with an early ball to Jude Oyibo well read by Yates. Danny Preston defended well at the other end to keep the ball away from Ryan Barnett.

We then cleared another dangerous opening as Stenson collected a Birch cross, Jordan Wright briefly spilled a cross with Daniels applying pressure but the Reds were fairly comfortable within the game, winning contests all over the park.

Then with 18 gone, the hosts took the lead with the first meaningful chance for either side, Barnett skipping past two tackles before his cross towards Daniels saw the former Red slide towards the ball but it looked like the last touch came off Ryan Qualter as the ball went in.

The goal lifted the hosts as we looked to respond, Bobby's free kick was cleared following a foul on Amari. Yates then claimed a cross from Josh Clackstone under pressure from Amari.

Qualter then hit an effort just wide from 25 yards as we probed around the box, the Reds were losing discipline with Preston and Danny Clarke booked for poor fouls before McQuilkin couldn't control a Barnett cross.

It was 2-0 on 43 when the lively Barnett lead a Bucks counter and ran at Preston before getting the slip past him, he then finished across Wright high into the net from 12 yards. Barnett then hit a low shot come cross which flashed wide with no Telford player able to get a touch.

The second half was better from us with Clarke's through ball not finding a blue shirt, Telford then pressed winning successive corners, Stenson then went down in the box with his penalty claims waved away.

Bobby Johnson hit one just over Yates cross-bar but we were struggling to get in behind the hosts, Ben Tomlinson's cross from the right caused a brief scramble as Amari couldn't capitalise.

Barnett forced a save from Wright who parried straight back to the Bucks player but Qualter was on hand to clear. We were not really troubling the hosts back-line as the second half progressed and with time running out, we conceded again with 69 gone.

Stenson volleyed home from eight yards after Barnett's deflected cross found it's way to him. We tested Yates again with a shot which came through a crowd of bodies from Bobby's corner but this was one of very few chances for us in the second half as the final third proved a big issue in the game.

Then in stoppage time Danny East was clipped in the box with a penalty awarded for us, a late consolation goal looked on the cards but Amari could only blaze the ball over the bar to sum up the afternoon for Alfreton and hand us yet another defeat.

Next, it's a quick turn around as the Reds look to desperately claim three points and stop the slide in form as league leaders Kings Lynn visit the Impact Arena on Saturday with the Reds looking to avoid a sixth defeat in all competitions, kick off is 3pm.

ATFCXI: Wright, Clackstone, Preston, Lynch (Freiter 66), Qualter, Branson, Oyibo, Tomlinson, Clarke (East 57), Morgan-Smith, Johnson (Thacker 76).

Subs Not Used: Andrew, Blake.

Referee: Thomas Kirk
Attendance: 1115