Alfreton 1, Harriers 3

SLICK Harriers booked their place in the second round of the FA Trophy as they came from behind to beat Alfreton in Derbyshire.

Goals for Danny Pilkington, Chey Dunkley and Ryan Rowe turned a close clash on its head.

Former Reds wideman Dan Bradley had put Alfreton ahead in the first half but a combination of good keeping by Danny Lewis and ruthless finishing made sure Steve Burr's side returned to Worcestershire as victors.

Jamille Matt was handed his first start since his nine-month exile because of issues with the UK Border Agency and the striker worked hard as he strived to find match fitness.

Both sides made lively starts and it was Harriers who threatened first.

Marvin Johnson was getting a lot of space on the left and failed to test keeper Jon Stewart with his weak shot.

Anthony Malbon, who has scored on both times he has played at the Impact Arena, then tried his luck from distance but Stewart was equal to it.

But the home team opened the scoring in the 17th minute, with Bradley lashing home a 20 yard shot which seemed to take a small deflection off Mickey Demetriou as it flew into the back of the net.

The goal spurred on Alfreton and Daniel Meadows saw a powerful effort deflected wide but Harriers levelled the scores in the 34th minute.

Alfreton's back four fell asleep when Josh Gowling played a long ball in but the wideman was alert to the possibilities, raced clear and slipped the ball beyond Stewart, who was off his line.

At the other end, Harriers custodian Lewis kept the scores level with a host  saves.  He denied Paul Clayton after the striker had spearheaded a counter attack and also pushed away Nathan Arnold's follow-up.

Stewart was also called into action, flinging himself at Callum Gittings's fine rising drive.

Pilkington's game was over in the 44th minute when the injured wideman was replaced by Keith Briggs.

Harriers started the second half well.

Matt came close two minutes into the re-start and his low shot called Stewart into action.

The big striker then powered his way into the box and it needed a brave block by the keeper to deny him a sight of goal.

Alfreton's keeper then had to get a hand to Anthony Malbon's firm effort.

Josh Law came close to putting the home side ahead but his free-kick on the left curled wide.

Malbon fired in a first time effort after a well-worked corner routine but Alfreton's keeper was equal to it.

Substitute Ben Tomlinson spurned a good chance to put the home side ahead in the 72 minute. He slid into make contact with Meadows' dangerous low ball from the left but just missed it.

But the visitors edged ahead in the 77th minute from a Kyle Storer corner. Defender Dunkley volleyed home at the far post from a fine delivery.

Lewis kept the leadintact with a fine finger tip save to deny Matty Harriott.

The Trophy tie was made safe in the 84th minute when substitute Rowe raced onto Briggs' through ball, cut in from the left and lashed the ball into the back of the net.

Substitute Nathan Blissett wasted a good chance to add a fourth in the 88th minute when Stewart raced out to block him.

Harriers: Lewis,  Vaughan, Demetriou, Storer, Malbon, Johnson, Pilkington (Briggs, 44), Gittings (Blissett, 76), Matt (Rowe, 80), Dunkley, Gowling.

Subs not used: Williams, N Vaughan.

Alfreton: Stewart, Law, Franklin, Kempson, Clayton (Tomlinson, 57), Bradley, Arnold, Meadows, Harriott (Worsfold, 82), Streete, Emerton (Brown, 64).

Subs not used: Barnes, Quinn.

Referee: Ben Toner.

Attendance: 361