Aspin angry at Alfreton collapse

Harrogate Town manager Neil Aspin has warned his players about their futures after they crashed 4-1 at Alfreton.

Town led 1-0 through an early Richard Marshall goal but had Darren Dunning sent off for two cautions by half-time.

Liam Hearn's second-half hat-trick saw Alfreton move two points behind fifth-placed Town in Blue Square North.

Aspin told BBC Radio York: "If they want to have any career long-term, they've got to perform better than they did in the second half."

Aspin did not emerge from the dressing room until 50 minutes after the match ended, and added: "We've had them in like this before, but hopefully this will be the last.

"I take responsibility at the end of the day because I'm manager, but players have got to start looking at themselves."

Strikers James Dean and Danny Holland started the game after suspension and injury respectively, while midfielder Matty Young also returned after injury, but Town showed little sign of being strengthened in the second half.

"I can't believe it's the same defence that played so well in the games against Farsley," Aspin added.

Dunning's first caution was for dissent and the second for a foul.

Aspin continued: "I can accept when players get booked for a hard challenge, but for dissent there's no excuse.

"I never used to get booked for dissent, it's a real waste."

Town's next game is at home to Stafford next Saturday and, with the club about to be overtaken by Stalybridge in the play-off zone, Aspin concluded: "We desperately need to win that match."