ALFRETON Town marched into the first round proper of the FA Trophy after extending their impressive unbeaten record on the road to six games on Saturday.
And it is now just one defeat in the last seven outings in all competitions for Nicky Law's side, with this victory gaining revenge for the sole reverse during that run, a 2-1 home defeat in the Setanta Shield against Blue Square Conference North rivals Hinckley.
The in-form hosts were hoping to make it six wins in a row, but in the end, Alfreton deserved their first ever win at the Marston Stadium with a workmanlike performance on a rain-soaked afternoon.
Tony Butler lined up against his former employers whilst Tommy Hannigan was restored to the bench by Nicky Law with Laurie Wilson replacing the ill Kyle McFadzean at right back.
Hinckley were first to threaten on three minutes but there were no takers for Owen Story's driven cross and a minute later Leigh Platnauer put an unchallenged header over from Kyle Storer's free kick.
Alfreton went close on nine minutes when home keeper Sean Bowles tipped over a Brian Cusworth header after Danny Reet had pumped Josh Law's corner back into the penalty area.
Five minutes further on Richard Lavery had to clear as Peter Knox flicked on Anton Brown's through ball to Danny Reet on the right.
Hinckley replied with a Colin Marrison header which went wide from Sam Shilton's cross and barely 60 seconds later Story fed Marrison, Reds keeper Kyle Sutcliffe parried and Marrison ended up in a heap claiming a penalty which never looked likely.
Alfreton forged the lead on 22 minutes when a neat through ball by Cusworth sent Knox clear and he kept his cool to slot home past Bowles from 18 yards.
Josh Law had chance to extend the lead on 27 minutes but spoiled a fine long run by firing high over.
As Hinckley enjoyed their best spell of the game, they equalised on 36 minutes when Luke Edwards got to the left byeline and Owen Story's downward header beat Kyle Sutcliffe into the opposite corner.
United went close three minutes later when Story's cross picked out Edwards who headed just wide at the far post.
In the first minute of stoppage time Sutcliffe had to tip a well struck shot from Marrison around a post and the half ended with honours even.
Hinckley threatened first in the second half although Sutcliffe had Jamie Lenton's deep cross from the left covered despite it striking the near side angle.
At the other end Bowles had to quickly race out of his area to clear as Platnauer inadvertently fed Knox.
Alfreton attacked again and Kris Bowler thumped a shot just over from 20-yards at the end of a lengthy run.
The hosts couldn't take advantage of a rare Reds defensive mix-up on the hour when Anton Brown and Reet both left a bouncing ball to each other eight yards from their own goal and fortunately there was no home player near enough to profit.
Sutcliffe took a good catch from a Lenton corner on 64 minutes as Lavery homed in on it but, apart from an 80th minute volley by substitute Leon Jackson which Sutcliffe held well, that was just about it from the hosts.
Alfreton swung the tie firmly in their favour with two goals in seven minutes.
The visitors regained the lead on 66 minutes when Laurie Wilson's long throw-in was headed on by Cusworth and Danny Reet volleyed home from eight yards at the far post.
And it was game over at 3-1 on 72 minutes when Reet released Brown down the left and his super cross was swept home at close range by Brian Cusworth.
It could have been four on 87 minutes but home keeper Bowles produced a great block for a corner to prevent Knox adding his second of the tie after he had got in behind Michael Byron.

HINCKLEY UNITED: Bowles, Roma, Shilton, Lavery (Jackson 78), Byron, Platnauer, Story, K Storer, Marrison, Edwards, Lenton (Johnson 72). Subs not used: S Storer, Bradshaw, Belford.
ALFRETON TOWN: Sutcliffe, Laurie Wilson, Brown, Butler, Matt Wilson, Warne, Law, Bowler, Cusworth, Knox, Reet. Subs not used: Glass, Barnard, Walton, Lindley, Hannigan.
REFEREE: Chris Miller of Kettering.
ATTENDANCE: 334.
GOALS: Hinckley United - Owen Story (36). Alfreton Town - Peter Knox (22), Danny Reet (66), Brian Cusworth (72).
CAUTIONS: Alfreton Town - Kris Bowler (foul on K Storer, 78).
REDS MAN OF THE MATCH: Brian Cusworth.