An action-packed second half saw four Trinity goals and two red cards for the home side.

But the Blues didn't have it all their own way, and the visitors trailed at half-time thanks to some bizarre defending from Martin Drury.

The left-back inexplicably headed back towards his own goal, allowing Alfreton defender Martin McIntosh to turn the ball in (24).

The goal was initially ruled out by the assistant for offside, but after consultation between the match officials, the goal was allowed to stand.

Trinity rarely threatened and the hosts nearly stole a second 11 minutes before the break, when ex-Trinity forward Paul Clayton fired across goal. The ball flew in front of a number of players, any one of whom could have diverted it goalwards.

Alfreton also started the second period the better, as McIntosh rattled Adam Sollitt's cross bar with a powerful header.

Moments later, though, Town were reduced to 10 men when Matt Wilson received his second yellow card and subsequent marching orders.

Then came Bird's nine-minute spectacular. His first strike was an outstanding, curling free-kick from 25 yards which left Tom Evans in the Alfreton goal with no chance.

Nicky Ellis nearly gave Trinity the lead with a header that forced the best out of Evans. From the resulting Smith corner, Ellis' header was turned in from four yards by Bird to give Trinity the lead.

Bird completed his treble on 69 minutes, when he blocked a clearance by Alfreton 20 yards out. The Trinity frontman exchanged a quick one-two with Lewis McMahon and coolly slid the ball past Evans to secure the points and the match ball.

There was still time for the home side to be reduced to nine men when Kris Bowler also saw a second yellow after a rash challenge on McMahon (74).

Smith then took advantage of the increased space to fire a splendid shot past the exposed Evans, after cutting in past three men before unleashing his 20-yard drive into the bottom left corner two minutes later.

A contented Steve Charles spoke about a superior second half performance.

"I couldn't believe what I saw with Drury's header back there for the goal, but I think Simon Bird's free-kick has changed the game," he said. "You look to players to produce something special and he came up with some special goals today."

The Trinity manager was understandably pleased for his star striker. "There's been a little bit on the internet about how long it's been since a Trinity player scored a hat-trick, and I'm really please for Simon as he's really repaying the faith we've shown in him while he's been injured. Nobody is more delighted than me."