The home side flew out of the blocks and led 2-0 after 21 minutes; Jordan Clarke and Dion Charles getting the goals. Joe Pritchard was dismissed ten minutes after the restart with another Joe, Piggott, making it 2-1 inside the final 20 minutes. However, the home side held on to leave AFC six points above the drop zone ahead of Fleetwood’s trip to Kingsmeadow this weekend.

In Scotland, Reece Cole also played the full 90 minutes for Partick Thistle during their 1-1 draw at home to Ayr. Brian Graham gave The Jags a 33rd minute lead which was cancelled out by Alan Forrest’s second-half penalty. The point leaves Partick two points from safety in the Scottish Championship with Tom Field’s new side Dundee their hosts on Saturday.

Our only other loanee Justin Shaibu wasn’t involved on Saturday as Boreham Wood climbed to fifth in the National League with a 2-1 win at AFC Fylde. Out of the FA Trophy, The Wood are next in action on 15 February away at Aldershot.