Report: Branson strike edges out Brakes

Alfreton Town extended their unbeaten run to four matches as Conor Branson's second half finish edged out the Brakes in difficult conditions at the Impact on Tuesday night.

It was the Reds third win in a row at home and we now head to Spennymoor on Saturday looking to extend our unbeaten run to five games.

Branson collected a neat Bobby Johnson flick in the box to finish low into the bottom corner on 63 in a game which the Reds dominated following a sending off to Leamington goalkeeper Weaver, after just seven minutes for taking out Danny Elliott.

We huffed and puffed in both halves and the Reds would be frustrated to have not added to the lead but crucially we grabbed the three points to move to 13th in the table.

The game began in fairly steady fashion for the Reds who pressed early on with successive corners, then the first major incident of the game arrived on seven minutes when Amari Morgan-Smith's pass found Danny Elliott in behind the defence and the Reds forward nipped the ball ahead of Weaver who took Danny out. Weaver was given a straight red card with the Brakes having to force Gittings in between the sticks.

Danny Clarke fired wide following blocked efforts from Bobby Johnson and Elliott. Gittings saved from Conor Branson before Storer flashed one wide in a rare attack for Leamington.

The Reds were in complete control as we pressed and pushed Leamington deeper into their own half, Josh Wilde tested Gittings again who held the shot well. He then tipped a Bobby free kick over the bar but the first half ended frustratingly as we couldn't find a way past the make-shift goalie.

The second half was very much attack v defence with Alfreton sending wave after wave of attacking moves at the Brakes defence. Elliott shot straight at Gittings before the Brakes goalkeeper smothered Danny from just a few yards out to concede a corner, from the set piece we had a penalty shout waved away.

Danny East fired way wide before we finally broke the deadlock on 63, to the relief of most at the Impact Arena; Branson strode forward before finding Bobby who produced a neat flick back into Conor's path and he fired low into the bottom corner inside the box.

Elliott's cross come shot whistled wide in the box before Dale Whitham fired one into the side-netting. The Reds would have been delighted to have come away with the three points but perhaps would have been disappointed we only won the game by just one goal.

However the resilience and character of the side to grind through to three points will be the most pleasing aspect. Next, we head to Spennymoor on Saturday looking to extend our unbeaten run to five games; kick off is 3pm.

ATFCXI: Wright, East, Wilde (c) (Tuton 63), Clarke, Qualter, Smith, Branson, Elliott (Tomlinson 90), Lynch (Whitham 54), Morgan-Smith, Johnson.

Subs Not Used: Unwin-Marris, Freiter.

Referee: Thomas Kirk
Attendance: 283