Alfreton Town sealed a victory of character and combat after a hard-fought 1-0 win at Chorley on Tuesday night. Determined to continue the momentum from salvaging a late point against Kidderminster, Jake Buxton claimed his first win as Alfreton manager courtesy of Billy Fewster’s second-minute strike.

Just three changes were made from Saturday’s draw, with George Cantrill, Lewis Salmon, and Harry Perritt coming into the side as Town look to catapult themselves away from the relegation zone.

Picking up where they left off from the weekend, the visitors forged ahead early. The move orchestrated by Bayley McCann’s cutback was held up by Salmon and tucked neatly into the corner by Fewster for his third goal of the season – the perfect start.

Chorley’s Lucas Weaver proved to be a dangerous outlet throughout the game, and his marauding run and cross on the half-hour mark fell kindly to Tom Carr, whose effort was scuffed wide of the post. Weaver set up another chance just before the break, this time Milan Lalkovic mishitting a golden opportunity.

The second half saw the Reds enjoy a period of dominance, in which they could’ve doubled their lead. Salmon almost crowned his 100th appearance for the club with a goal of his own, but an angled effort was smothered by Matt Urwin. Another opportunity ensued, but Max Hunt couldn’t head home Perritt’s free kick on 70 minutes.

The hosts threw bodies forward in the dying embers in desperate search of an equaliser. Town’s rear-guard was threatened by an onslaught of late set pieces but ultimately held on for a first away win of the season.

An invaluable three points sees Alfreton move up to 21st in the table and level on points with 20th-placed Peterborough Sports. We return to action on Saturday, playing host to AFC Fylde at the Impact Arena in another tough league test