Harriers 2, Alfreton Town 1

TWO quick-fire second half strikes from Joe Ironside and Elton Ngawatala saw Harriers come back to beat Alfreton Town.

The visitors led at the break thanks for Tom Allen's 17th minute strike before Ironside and Ngwatala netted in quick succession near the hour mark to secure a battling victory at Aggborough.

Harriers, who switched to a 3-5-2 formation following last weekend's disappointing defeat at Salford, soon got into their rhythm early on and found space out wide with the lively Sam Austin in the right wing-bank role.

Austin saw a low drive tipped past the post on 9 minutes before Joe Ironside headed off target a minute later after Dan Bradley's ball in.

Another Ironside header crept narrowly wide on 14 minutes after another teasing Austin ball from the right.

However, it was the visitors that bagged the lead against the run of play when Allen powered the loose ball home when Alfreton's first corner wasn't fully cleared on 17 minutes.

Harriers continued to enjoy more possession after going behind but struggled to work a clear opening.

Instead it was home keeper Brandon Hall that was called on approaching the half hour mark when he parried Tom Platt's drive from 25 yards after yet another corner wasn't fully cleared.

Harriers continued to press as Bradley and Austin looked to link play.

The hosts needed something before the break and worked another opening when Ironside turned well but fired weakly at Chris Elliot in the Town goal.

Instead it was Alfreton that should have netted again before the break when goal scorer Allan, up for another corner, headed wide from 10 yards when unmarked after Brad Priestly quickly put the ball back into the danger zone.

The second half saw left wing-back Joel Taylor replaced by forward Andre Brown as John Eustace reverted to a back four and gave Ironside a different partner in attack.

Harriers again enjoyed more of the ball in the opening exchanges and did find a way through to level when Ironside struck on the hour mark.

He peeled away to meet James McQuilkin's cut back corner and fired past Elliot.

Within a minute Harriers had the lead.

Another McQuilkin corner was flicked on by Liam Daly and met by Elton Ngwatala at the back post.

His first effort was saved by Elliot but the forward quickly followed up his own effort to force the ball home.

Harriers continued to control things without working clear openings but nearly had another when McQuilkin curled a free-kick just wide after sub Mani Sonupe was fouled on the edge of the area.

Alfreton still posed a threat though and worked Hall with ten minutes left on the clock when sub Ryan Jennings met Brendon Daniels' angled free kick but headed straight at the Reds stopper.

Hall then made a brilliant save in the 83rd minute as the game opened up. Ricardo German, also off the bench for the visitors, escaped the challenge of Williams and fired low through the legs of Daly. The ball looked to be nestling in the far post until Hall's outstretched leg diverted it wide.

Harriers had more defending to do as Alfreton pumped late balls into the box but they stood up to the task to take the points.

Harriers: Hall, Williams, Taylor (Brown 45), Croasdale (c), Daly, Keane, Austin, McQuilkin (Weeks 90), Ironside, Ngwatala (Sonupe 74), Bradley.

Unused subs: Digie, Webb

Alfreton: Elliott, Topliss, Allan, Platt, Shiels (c), Priestley, Wood, Smith (Marshall 64), Sharp (Jennings 77), Westcarr (German 64), Daniels.

Unused subs: Disley, Robertson.

Att: 1,163