Seemingly dead and buried when Luisma Villa’s stunning free-kick got Barnet out of jail at The Hive in September, Alfreton Town have put together a run of form which has hauled them out of the relegation zone in recent weeks.

Currently six unbeaten, Nicky Law’s side are 20th in the Conference and five points clear of the drop having not been out of the bottom four since a 1-0 win over Nuneaton Town in September.

The Reds have only been outside of the relegation places on three occasions prior to their current run which has seen them beat Kidderminster Harriers, AFC Telford United and Dartford as well as drawing with Lincoln City, Chester and Dartford.

Law was dissatisfied after Saturday’s goalless draw at home to the Darts, stating his belief Alfreton had not reached the heights of their previous five games. With the league leaders in town, Law knows an improvement will be required.

He told the Derby Telegraph: "The pressure is off us a bit now, as no one is expecting us to get anything from this one," he said.

"The thought that we are playing the league leaders, we know we are going to have to be far, far better to have any chance."

The Reds were busy during the final days of the loan window, which shut on Thursday, allowing long-serving striker Paul Clayton to leave North Street and join Harrogate Town on a permanent basis.

Clayton has been on loan with the Conference North side since before Christmas having previously scored 114 times in 311 outings for the Reds during an eight-year stay at the club.

The striker, who won two England ‘C’ caps, leaves as Reds’ fifth-highest scorer in history.

Central defender Jordan Keane also left the club, joining Conference rivals Lincoln City on loan until the end of the season.

The former Stoke City and Tamworth defender had made 21 appearances for the Reds this season but had not featured since early February.

Also departing was 30-year-old midfielder Lee Stevenson, who joined Kings Lynn until the end of the current campaign after being used sparingly this season.

There was, however, one new arrival too, with Burton Albion wideman Jimmy Phillips penning a loan agreement until the end of the season.

Phillips, 25, has only made one substitute appearance for the League Two Brewers since Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink succeeded Birmingham-bound Gary Rowett.

The former Stoke youngster had been with Burton since 2009 and made more than 100 appearances for the club but he has only made the one outing from the bench this term.

Alfreton Town XI v Dartford: Mooney; Graham, Howe, Rowe-Turne, Wood; Johnston, Lenighan, Shaw, Thanoj; Speight, Hawley.