It was another comfortable win for Alfreton Town when Stafford Rangers were beaten 2-0 at the Impact Arena on Bank Holiday Monday, but while the Reds kept their opponents largely at arm's length they needed an 89th minute penalty to finally ensure that their 100 per cent record was maintained.

Chances came and went for Alfreton who led through Paul Clayton's 22nd minute goal, and a solid defensive performance by the hosts ensured that Rangers only produced two direct chances throughout the 90 minutes.

Liam Hearn (pictured left) replaced the injured Jake Moult, who was suffering from shin splints following the Blyth game 48 hours earlier, and he was soon running at the Stafford defence with his third minute cross having to be punched away by keeper Lee Evans.

A full-blooded volley from Clayton on 12 minutes was parried by Evans from Connor Franklin's precise pass, then five minutes later Chris Shaw curled a free-kick inches past the back post after Anton Brown had been brought down by Kelvin Mellor.

A low Hearn drive was held by Evans in the 20th minute after Josh Law's cross had picked out Anthony Wilson on the left, then two minutes later Clayton flicked Law's free-kick in at the near post with the outside of his foot to give the Reds their advantage.

Evans then had to hold a Clayton lob on the half hour mark before Stafford's first attack of note almost brought a 37th minute leveller, Levi Reid's free-kick finding Mellor whose shot seemed to be creeping in until Gamble stretched to tip it around the post.

A very good stop by Evans three minutes before the interval denied Anthony Wilson, who had latched on to Clayton's pass following Hearn's crossfield ball, then on 52 minutes Brown's rasper was held by the keeper after Stafford had failed to deal with a Franklin throw.

A header from Brown 11 minutes later was held by Evans from another long throw by Franklin, then on 65 minutes Franklin turned and fired over from Anthony Wilson's cross after being put through by Brown.

A towering Aden Flint header in the 76th minute flew over from yet another Law free-kick after Hearn had been halted in full flight by Mark Dudley, but a quick break in the same minute nearly let Rangers in but Gamble stood his ground to save as Ross Davidson set up Fabrice Kasiama.

Darren Stride limped out of the game with nine minutes to go, then four minutes later a glaring miss by Nathan Arnold in front of an open goal from 15 yards had the fans groaning after Anthony Wilson's shot had been blocked again by Evans.

Wilson shook off his latest setback to set up the penalty with a minute to go, luring Alex Forde into needlessly bringing him down, and up stepped Hearn to despatch the spot-kick with authority into the corner of the net.

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