Midfielder Anthony Howell ‘stars’ in goal as Alfreton Town are hammered by Lincoln City in FA Cup

The Reds were dealt a massive blow ahead of the game after James Severn was injured in the original tie and Sheffield Wednesday had opted to decline Cameron Dawson permission to play.

It was the first time since August 1988 that the Reds had started a game with an outfield player in goal, also losing 5-1 on that occasion at Curzon Ashton in the First Division of the Northern Premier League with defender Shaun Pickersgill between the sticks.

Howell tried his best, pulling off some good saves that would have been made a regular keeper, but was rooted to the spot as Sean Newton helped himself to a couple of first-half goals from free-kicks before completing his hat-trick from the penalty spot.

Lincoln scored with their first attack in the sixth minute as Newton lashed home a free-kick that had been awarded against Luke Graham.

Howell quickly gained confidence, and after clutching Tom Miller’s 17th minute cross under pressure the caretaker custodian raced out of goal to hack clear from Jon Nolan.

Another Newton delivery from the left saw Howell flap at the cross before Miller headed wide, then the makeshift keeper excelled with a stretching save to deny Nolan on 39 minutes.

Newton could scarcely believe his luck three minutes before the break when his free-kick from the right-flank touch-line was allowed to bounce directly into the net, with Howell possibly unsighted in the jungle of bodies as Alfreton trailed 2-0.

Four minutes into the second half a long throw by Miller needed punching confidently by Howell, who then caught the follow-up from Hamza Bencherif before turning Jordan Burrow’s shot behind at his near post.

A hectic goalmouth scramble on 55 minutes saw both Bencherif and Burrow miss clear chances at close range before Bencherif headed over from a Nolan cross, but 12 minutes later all hope was gone when Tom Davies was harshly penalised for a foul on Alan Power and Newton gave Howell no chance from the spot.

To compound Alfreton’s misery Hawley was then sent off after a clash with Miller 20 minutes from time, but by the 74th minute Wood had reduced the arrears with the Reds’ first attempt on target, neatly glancing a header from a long Duane Courtney throw off the far post.

Two late goals by Lincoln sub Delano Sam-Yorke merely served to emphasise the dire circumstances that Alfreton found themselves struggling with and superficially enhanced the hosts profile.

In the 79th minute an unfortunate slip at a vital time by Rowe-Turner gifted Sam-Yorke the opportunity to pick his spot from six yards.

Then two minutes later Howell could not prevent him scoring Lincoln’s fifth goal from close range after bravely blocking a Conner Robertson shot.

ALFRETON: Howell; Wood, Graham, Davies, Rowe-Turner, Courtney, Keane, Bradley (McDonald 67 mins), Shaw (Sheridan 67 mins), Clayton (Ironside 42 mins), Hawley.

Subs not used: Ledsham, Marshall, Preece.

Att: 1529 (70 away)