Boss Nicky Law focused on Alfreton title run-in

Law's side have slipped to fourth in the Blue Square North table

Alfreton Town boss Nicky Law insists he is fully focused on achieving their promotion dream and says they will not be affected by their FA Trophy exit.

The Blue Square Bet North side were knocked out by Mansfield on Tuesday.

But although Law said the 2-1 defeat "wrenched his guts" he challenged his players to show their character when they face Workington away on Saturday.

Law said: "It is there for the lads. Go and show people how bad you want it. I know how bad I want it."

Postponements and the FA Trophy run means the Reds have not played in the league for 29 days - since the 2-0 home win over Workington on 11 January.

And although they have been knocked off the top of the division and are eight points behind leaders Nuneaton Town, Law's men have eight games in hand.

Promotion has been our goal for three years now and it still is our goal

Reds manager Nicky Law

He added: "If we win five of our games in hand we go seven points clear.

"If someone had said you can finish top of the league or have a Wembley final, what would it be? I would take top of the league without a doubt. That is the ultimate goal.

"This is my fourth year now. We took it hard the first year and learned about the league and then spent two years building.

"If we had kept Kyle McFadzean and Aden Flint it [the title race] would all have been over by now, we would have romped it.

"But we didn't [keep them] and it has been good business. It will make it a little bit more difficult for the club but we still think we can do it and it is an opportunity for someone else to come in and show what they can do.

"Promotion has been our goal for three years now and it still is our goal."

Meanwhile, Law has strengthened his squad by signing Grimsby Town defender Scott Garner on loan until the end of the season.

Garner, 21, becomes the third defender to join in a week following the signings of Theo Streete, 23, from Solihull Moors for an undisclosed fee and Kallum Keane, 19, following his release from Derby County.