ALFRETON Town face their fourth away game in five today when they travel to York City - but that does not seem to be a problem for the Reds.

Like York, Alfreton’s Boxing Day game was a victim of the weather, the Impact Arena pitch unplayable due to being waterlogged. That cost them a shot at making up ground on visiting Boston United, but they should still arrive at the LNER Community Stadium with a spring in their step.

After a poor run of three defeats on the bounce, the Derbyshire outfit have picked up nicely and are now unbeaten in four games.

Three of those were on the road, with the only winless game coming at home at the Impact Arena in a 1-1 draw with strugglers Gloucester City.

On their travels, Alfreton have hit eight goals to bag three National League North points and progress to the fourth round of the FA Trophy.

They have twice beaten Curzon Ashton (not an easy away day, as York can attest), 2-1 in the league and 3-1 in the Trophy third round. The latter victory saw them battle back from 1-0 down with three goals in the final 10 minutes, sparked by Conor Branson’s 81st-minute equaliser.

Alfreton sit in ninth spot ahead of their trip to Monks Cross, with 13th-placed York just one point behind in a crowded mid-table - so crowded, in fact, that defeat today could see them drop down as far as 16th. Win and they could climb to seventh.

The Reds will have the services of 17-year-old striker Antwoine Hackford for the visit to York. The exciting young prospect joined the Reds on a month’s loan from Championship side Sheffield United at the start of December.

He marked his debut with a goal in Alfreton’s 2-1 win at Curzon - his sole goal in 73 minutes of action this season.

Central defender James Jones will also be available after he was recalled from his loan at Hyde United because of injury problems at Alfreton.

The 22-year-old impressed during his 11 games with at Northern Premier League premier division side Hyde and went straight in to the side to face Curzon.

And manager Billy Heath was pleased with what he saw from the young man during Alfreton’s characterful 3-1 FA Trophy win at the Tameside Stadium on December 18.

Also back at Impact Arena from a loan spell, as of the last week in November, is Alfreton Academy product Harvey Grice, who has returned from troubled NPL premier division bottom side Grantham Town.

The 20-year-old midfielder was a second-half substitute in the league at Curzon.

Meanwhile, former Alfreton captain Dan Bradley left the club by mutual consent three weeks ago. The 30-year-old made 132 appearances for the club over spells dating back to 2012.

The last time Alfreton and York met was what turned out to be the final game of the 2019/20 campaign, in March last year.

City were comfortable 3-1 winners that day thanks to Sean Newton’s brace of free kicks and Alex Kempster’s neat finish before Danny Clarke netted a consolation.