NATIONWIDE North leaders Alfreton Town stomp into St George's Lane tonight and John Barton is licking his lips at cutting them down to size.

The North Derbyshire outfit have taken the inaugural division by storm, winning eight of their first 12 matches and leading second-placed Hinckley United by four points, and confidence is high after thrashing Matlock Town 5-0 in last Saturday's FA Cup second qualifying round.

Alfreton's lofty position is all the more impressive given their status five seasons ago when City manager Barton was in charge of bigger neighbours Burton Albion.

The Reds began the 1999/2000 campaign in the Northern Counties (East) League, three divisions down the non-league pyramid, playing in front of modest crowds after back-to-back relegations.

Alfreton needed two seasons to escape that division and haven't looked back since, securing the 2002/03 UniBond Division One title and clinching their spot in Nationwide North after finishing fourth in last year's UniBond Premier League.

Barton has cast an envious glance at Alfreton's rise to the summit this season and admits toppling the league's in-form side would count as a huge scalp.

He said: "I know about Alfreton during my time at Burton Albion but they were a few leagues down at the time and we didn't really get to play each other.

"They have done really well climbing up the pyramid and have made a name for themselves this season, but I'm not surprised because they have got the resources.

"Alfreton have got some seasoned non-league players and are a very good side. We know we are up against it because they are top of the table and we are struggling for results.

"But all good runs have got to come to an end at some point, and so do bad ones. Obviously, we are not as confident as we were three weeks ago, that's plain to see. This is a good opportunity to put a bit of confidence back into the side."

City have lost their last four games and are waiting on six players to return from injury, including goalkeeper Danny McDonnell who is out until Christmas after breaking three ribs in last Saturday's 3-1 FA Cup defeat to Cambridge City.

Aaron Kerr returns in goal, midfielder Jai Stanley will play despite needing an operation on a torn cartilage and veteran Paul Carty has been described by Barton as '50-50'.

Barton added: "We desperately need Paul to play because he gives us that presence in midfield that we have been missing in the last couple of games."

n Redditch United visit lowly Bradford Park Avenue tomorrow in Nationwide North (1pm).

They will field recently secured permanent strike partnership Scott Rickards and Norman Sylla, from Kidderminster Harriers and Tamworth, respectively.