ALFRETON Town's Skrill Conference Premier promotion bid has been dealt another blow with the news that striker Paul Clayton will be suspended for the next three matches.
Clayton was retrospectively punished for an off-the-ball offence during Monday night's live televised clash with FC Halifax Town.
The 29-year-old was alleged to have kicked out at an opponent in the 2-0 defeat and, after video evidence was reviewed, he was handed a three-game ban.
That means Clayton, who has scored six goals in 31 appearances this term, will miss tomorrow's important home showdown with fellow play-off hopefuls Nuneaton Town, plus the fixtures against Welling United and Aldershot Town.
While Alfreton have maintained their unlikely promotion push, they were recently hit with a three-point deduction for fielding an ineligible player – and also lost defender Michael Wylde to a broken leg.
The points punishment was in relation to the signing of goalkeeper Jon Worsnop from FC United on an emergency loan.
Ironically, Reds boss Nicky Law moved to bring in cover – and competition – for Worsnop, now at the club on a permanent basis, ahead of yesterday's transfer deadline.
Eighteen-year-old stopper Joe Wildsmith has been signed from Sheffield Wednesday on loan until the end of the season.
Law has no new injury worries, though defenders Darran Kempson (groin) and Chris Westwood (thigh) remain doubtful.
Third-placed Alfreton are three points ahead of fifth-placed Nuneaton.
Six teams are within three points of Nuneaton in the race for the play-offs.
Law was disappointed with his team's performance against one of those sides, Halifax.
"They came out and played at a really high tempo and, unfortunately, we couldn't match it," he said.
"We were nowhere near it. We were way off it in too many areas.
"We tried to play in an offensive way, we put three up front, but if I am honest, there was very little impact all game and then you are on the back foot, unfortunately.
"And I was disappointed with the two goals we gave away.
"I am massively disappointed but I have no complaints. We were well beaten.
"We are still in the play-offs but we could have really taken advantage and stretched the lead from sixth spot to where we are to seven points but we haven't and we have got to go and get a reaction on Saturday.
"That's what it's about. We go and learn from it and we move on."
Alfreton striker Daniel Wishart has had his scheduled loan extension at Margate cancelled and has joined Eastleigh on loan until the end of the season instead.
