Now in their second season having reverted to part-time status ahead of the 2013/14 campaign, Alfreton Town find themselves struggling at the foot of the table.

After belying the odds to finish in a highly-creditable position of 11th last season, the Reds are the only pointless side in the Conference after six games; conceding 20 and scoring just three so far.

The return to part-time status was described as a re-shaping by chairman Wayne Bradley, who told the club’s website in April 2013: "We have no debts, no borrowing and no issues. We are not looking to throw the towel in, we are not down-sizing, we are reshaping, planning for many years to come.

"The club is in very good shape and we are not about to put it in any danger. We are looking to ‘re-invent' the club in a way which will allow us to accept the challenge of the division.

"Our fans should know by now that we say what we are going to do and stick to it. They are not easy decisions, but the earlier they are made the better."

Largely thanks to the 18 league goals of John Akinde, Nicky Law’s side confounded pre-season expectations to secure a top-half finish last term but the hulking forward is now leading the line for the Bees instead.

Chasing an unlikely play-off berth, a spate of injuries contributed to a late-season slump which cost Law’s side their crack at a place in the Football League.

Alfreton wideman Dan Bradley had agreed to join Barnet in May but returned to North Street two months later as he did not realise he would be expected to move to the area on a permanent basis.

Following 14 summer departures, Law had to act quickly in the summer transfer window to put together a squad, with 14 signings and two loan additions ensuring it was a new-look Alfreton side which begun the season.

Indeed, only forward Paul Clayton has been at Alfreton for longer than two years, the 30-year-striker joining from Gainsborough Trinity in 2008.

There have been two further acquisitions this week, with young centre-back Lawrence Gorman – formerly of Nottingham Forest – joining on a non-contract basis, whilst experience forward Karl Hawley has also joined the club.

Hawley, 32, made his name by scoring 47 league goals in 112 starts for Carlisle United but has never been able to replicate that form away from Brunton Park.

Eleven goals during the 2012/13 suggested a return to form but after scoring just three in 22 starts for Torquay United, Hawley left Plainmoor last month.

In 272 league starts for 11 clubs, Hawley has scored 81 times.

Law, who guided the club into the Conference in 2011 by winning the Conference North, will return from a six-game touchline ban at The Hive, following ‘an incident of misconduct’ last season.

The former Chesterfield, Bradford City, Grimsby Town and Buxton boss has won four promotions in his career; the most high-profile of which was from the old Division Three into Division Two with the Spireites in 2001.

Probable Alfreton line-up: Dawson; Wood, Keane, Graham, Rowe-Turner; Bradley, Thanoj, Sheridan, Stevenson, Shaw; Ironside.