NATIONAL LEAGUE NORTH REPORT: ALFRETON DENT BUXTON’S PLAYOFF HOPES

Alfreton dented Buxton’s playoff hopes on Easter Monday, coming out 3-2 winners at the Impact Arena.

Connor Kirby had the first chance of the game, winning the ball back in midfield before releasing Cian Coleman, who saw his effort from distance drift just wide of the post.

Former Buxton player Nathan Newall then had a good opportunity when a clearance dropped kindly for him on the edge of the area, but he fired his shot wide.

The hosts took the lead after 15 minutes with a well worked corner routine. The ball eventually found Jed Abbey, who drilled a low shot through a crowd of bodies and into the bottom corner to make it 1-0.

Only three minutes later, Alfreton added a second. A long ball forward wasn’t dealt with, and Gerry McDonagh latched onto it, thumping a powerful finish past the keeper to double the advantage.

Buxton were determined to get back into the game quickly and felt they should have had a penalty when Luke Brennan was brought down on the byline, but the referee waved away the appeals.

Ethan Mann then drove forward from defence, winning the Bucks a corner, but the delivery came to nothing as it went straight into the keeper’s hands.

It was Alfreton who had the final opportunity of the half when Dwayne Wiley’s header from a corner was deflected away.

Just three minutes into the second half Buxton pulled a goal back. A low ball from the right was sent across the box and, after a goalmouth scramble, Brennan poked it home to make it 2-1.

The Bucks continued to push and found an equaliser in the 53rd minute. Coleman’s initial effort was saved by George Sykes-Kenworthy but he reacted quickest to the rebound, slotting in to level the scores.

However, Alfreton regained the lead in the 72nd minute when Abbey curled a free-kick around the Buxton wall and past True Grant for his second of the game.

Kirby tried to respond again for Buxton, firing from distance, but his shot went wide of the target.

The visitors had two late penalty appeals waved away by the referee, who remained unmoved despite strong claims from the Buxton players.

Buxton will now have to rely on results to go their way on the final game of the season as well as beat Warrington to reach to the playoffs.