Report: Winless run extends to eight games at Boston

Alfreton Town slumped to another defeat on the road as Boston dominated proceedings to ease to a 2-0 win as our win-less run in the National League North extended to seven games. Defeat also made it eight games without a win in all competitions.

The Pilgrims took the lead just before the break when Leesley looped a header into the far corner from a left sided cross. It was 2-0 on 52 when former Red Tom Platt converted a low shot into the near corner inside the box.

Boston started with intent and their passages of play brought continuous pressure throughout the first 45. Josh Clackstone cleared an early cross into the box before clearing a Leesley corner with just a minute gone.

James Jones blocked a shot from Preston before Adam Lund had our first half chance with a header which flashed just wide of the post from a Dan Bradley corner. Lund had a cross blocked away down the right, Bobby Johnson's corner was then cleared away.

But this brief two minute spell saw Boston respond again and a quick counter attack saw Dom Smith have to clear away from a Tootle back-heel inside the box.

Fitzsimmons held a Smith flick on from a Lund long throw but the Reds were not creating clear cut chances. George Willis denied Preston with a good save inside the box, after the Boston forward was found on the right side. The goal saw the home side continue to push, a free kick from Leesley towards former Red Luke Shiels was cleared by Bobby before Willis denied Preston again with a stretching save to his right to palm away the shot inside the area.

Preston was again dangerous inside the box as we failed to clear a cross from the left, the loose ball fell to Preston who dragged a shot wide. Conor Branson nodded a deep cross from Leesley behind, Jones headed the corner away.

Alfreton maintained the defensive alertness and soaked up pressure as the first period wore on, Elliott Reeves pass eluded Bobby in the middle before Luke Rawson had our best chance of the half as Bradley raced through, he played Rawson through in the box but the shot saw the ball go just wide of the far post.

Branson cleared off the line from a corner before Leesley would then give Boston the lead on 44 when his looping header went into the far corner from a cross on the left.

Nicky Walker was introduced at the start of the second half, but the Pilgrims picked up where they left off and soon made it 2-0 with 52 minutes gone. Tom Platt picked the ball up inside the box before firing a low effort into the bottom corner.

Jake Day then came on as we desperately looked for a way back into the contest. Bradley fired a shot wide from outside the box before Hawkridge fizzed the ball just over the bar from 20 yards. Day posed a threat for us at the other end but no one could connect with his good cross from the left.

With 68 gone, the Reds were awarded a penalty when Day collected a perfect Toby Lees pass, he was brought down from behind as he raced through on goal. Day stepped up but blasted his penalty off the bar, the ball appeared to bounce off the bar and then over the line as it bounced back out, but the goal was not given.

The last 15 saw Day clear a header off the line from a Pilgrims corner, Dimaio fired a shot over the bar and Rollins produced a great run down the left but his shot was saved easily by Willis at the near post.

However the hosts dissevered the three points as they created by far the better chances. The Reds struggled to create and only had three decent chances in the game as we fell to defeat.

The lads will need to pick themselves up again as we face a quick turn around with the visit of Kettering to the Impact on Monday. Kick off is 3pm behind closed doors.

ATFCXI: Willis, Clackstone, Atkinson, Branson, Jones (Walker 45), Lund, Smith, Bradley (c), Rawson (Day 53), Johnson (Lees 45), Reeves.

Subs Not Used: Fox, Clarke.

Attendance: Behind Closed Doors.