Alfreton Town 2

Redditch United 1

MANAGER Rod Brown is set to wield the axe after another dismal display that left Reds propping up the Nationwide Conference North table.

It is many years since the Valley Stadium side were slumped at the foot of the table but, after a string of gutless displays, there can be few complaints.

Brown included the effervescent Sean Flynn in midfield to add some drive to the team and the former Kidderminster Harriers favourite did just that with a tireless display.

Asa Charlton was another to impress on a dreary Derbyshire day but the remainder were woefully lacking.

"We have two or three players who are playing OK while the others are just going through the motions," the manager admitted.

"We are not working as a unit and you won't get anything unless you do."

And Brown added that the time had come to make changes.

"You have to react when you are at the bottom of the league and you have to react quickly.

"The players have been given a fair crack of the whip but have not done it. I am confident there will be two or three changes in the next week.

"I am going to have to make some difficult decisions."

A new striker surely needs to be at the top of Brown's 'wish list' - his strikeforce have netted just twice in seven games.

Scott Rickards and Craig Wilding have shown enough to warrant a second chance but the jury is still out on Paul Moore and John Williams.

The latter had a pep talk with the manager ahead of Saturday's game but still looked a shadow of the player nicknamed the Flying Postman when he tormented defenders during his time with Swansea City.

He had a chance to prove the doubters wrong against an Alfreton side that included 43-year-old manager Gary Mills in midfield but he skewed a 15th minute header wide. Reds would have been better off had he failed to connect as Gary Knight was charging in just inches behind him.

It took Alfreton just nine minutes to open the scoring. James Blunt thumped a 35-yard volley against the crossbar and with the Redditch defence motionless, Pete Duffield nipped in to prod home the rebound.

Lee Jenkins was denied by a fine Gregg Smith save on 13 minutes but that was all the visitors could offer until they snatched a consolation six minutes from time.

Charlton's free-kick was headed into the area by Wilding and Paul Moore's diving header flew past the Alfreton keeper.

The Derbyshire side still had time to hit the woodwork as they finished the stronger - substitute Neil Ross unleashing a 20-yard drive that rattled the foot of the post two minutes from time.