Jake Wright's 10th goal of the season - and third in three games this week - handed United a 21st minute lead, but the Reds led 2-1 at half-time when Matt Rhead buried the rebound after seeing Tiernan Brooks save his initial penalty, with ex-Pilgrim Jordan Thewlis firing Alfreton in front two minutes before the break.

Thewlis added a third in the 72nd minute and United were well beaten, despite the hugely impressive Billy Chadwick twice striking the post in the second half.

Chadwick was back in action after extending his loan spell from Hull City, while Zak Goodson was restored to the starting XI too.

Tiernan Brooks had made an early save to deny Thewlis, while Wright had two efforts blocked during a bright opening for the visitors, who also saw Goodson denied by a George Willis save.

United broke the deadlock when Ethan Septhon delivered from the left and WRIGHT got ahead of his marker to steer the ball past Willis from close-range.

Alfreton equalised seven minutes later when Zak Mills was penalised for a foul on George Cantrill and despite seeing Brooks save his penalty, RHEAD tucked home the follow-up.

Town took the lead two minutes before half-time when THEWLIS finished off Adam Lund's long throw-in.

Wright had hobbled off at this point with a tight groin - replaced by substitute Tre Mitford.

Brooks denied Bailey Hobson at the start of the second half, while Chadwick twice rattled the post for United - either side of THEWLIS getting up to glance home Danny Preston's corner.

There was a late United rally, with Josh Clackstone clearing off the line to deny Goodson and Willis making a brilliant save to deny Jordan Burrow, but Alfreton held on without too many undue concerns.

Alfreton (4-2-3-1): George Willis; Josh Clackstone, Dominic Smith, Dwayne Wiley, Danny Preston; George Cantrill, Adam Lund (Conor Branson 66); Dayle Southwell, Bailey Hobson, Jordan Thewlis (Yusifu Ceesay 81); Matt Rhead. Subs (not used): Milan Butterfield, Tom Denton, Jake Askew (gk).

Boston (4-2-2-2): Tiernan Brooks; Zak Mills, Luke Shiels, Ben Pollock, Ethan Sephton; Lirak Hasani (Scott Pollock 69), Tom Platt; Zak Goodson (Luther Munakandafa 83), Billy Chadwick; Jordan Burrow, Jake Wright (Tre Mitford 41). Subs (not used): Will Atkinson, Jo Cummings.

Referee: Ben Robinson.

Attendance: 650.

PIC: Russell Dossett.