But for some fine saves by former Reds keeper James Lindley it could have been even worse for the Yellows.
Paul Clayton marked his return from his three match ban by opening the scoring in the 16th minute and then 10 minutes later doing the spadework that set up Ben Muirhead to double the advantage.
Kyle Sutcliffe saved former Red Laurie Wilson's spot kick just before the interval, and to run salt in Hucknall's wounds Muirhead stretched the Reds' lead to three in stoppage time at the end of the half.
Hucknall had a goal ruled out from Gary Ricketts early in the second period, and Liam Hearn punished his former club with two goals in 10 minutes midway through the half to complete the rout.
With Martin McIntosh still not fit and Tony Butler ill, Paul Ellender was given his first start since his September injury at the heart of defence alongside Matt Wilson.
Anton Brown did not make his expected return to the starting line-up after his injury, remaining on the bench, so Kyle McFadzean started at left back where he again put in a sterling performance.
Hucknall included three former Reds, Lindley, Laurie Wilson and skipper Gary Sucharewycz, while Yellows boss Bryan Chambers recalled Matt Baxter, who has been out on loan at Rainworth for match practice, at right back.
Lindley showed his prowess after only 20 seconds to keep out Paul Clayton's point blank header. Josh Law had got around the back of Tremayne Walters on the right to cross for the striker, but Lindley was equal to it and pushed the ball over the bar. From the corner Matt Wilson volleyed wide.
That apart, there was little to warm the spectators and no indication of what was to come until the 16th minute when Alfreton took the lead. Simon Marples played a corner short to Ben Muirhead whose cross Deon Meikle failed to clear, leaving Clayton to hook home.
Baxter made a sound clearance of Hearn's probing centre, but in the 26th minute the Reds were two to the good.
This time Clayton turned creator, dispossessing Walters in the right of the box, beating another defender, and feeding Muirhead to pull the trigger at the opposite upright.
Clayton might have got his second goal and Alfreton's third within a minute, but having to lean back to meet McFadzean's cross with a free header, he got too far underneath it and guided it over the bar.
Lindley magnificently saved Muirhead's exquisite 25-yard angled attempt from the left at full stretch, then Matt Wilson's strong forward header five minutes before the break picked out Hearn, but Lindley blocked well, before, a minute later, Hucknall had their first goal attempt, a volley from Meikle, which was wildly off target.
But the Yellows were thrown a 44th-minute lifeline when Matt Wilson was penalised for a body check on Gary Ricketts inside the area. Wilson was booked. But his namesake and former team mate Laurie saw his spot kick parried by Kyle Sutcliffe
The Reds keeper still did not seem to have done enough to keep it out but, as the ball looked to be crossing the line at snail's pace, he stretched out an arm and managed to beat it away with Wilson not following in to pick up the scraps.
And, to rub salt in Hucknall's wounds, in stoppage time at the end of the half Muirhead cut in from the left to slide an angled shot under Lindley and make it 3-0 at the break.
Hucknall showed more spirit on the restart, and Ricketts had the ball in the net in the 51st minute, but had fouled Paul Ellender to win possession.
Then seven minutes later Sutcliffe brilliantly saved Laurie Wilson's spearing 25-yarder that was destined for the bottom corner, despite appearing to have seen it late.
But a 10-minute double by Liam Hearn on 62 and 72 against his old club wrapped it up for the home side
First, Hearn profited from a misunderstanding between Lindley and Chris Timons for the easiest goal he will ever score. The two both went for Muirhead's forward header and contrived only to get in each other's way, giving Hearn a simple tap into an empty net.
Ten minutes later a visionary pass from Tom Curtis found Hearn on the left, he cut in, and scored from an acute angle.
Curtis ought to have made it 6-0 on 75 when, latching onto a ball over the top, he attempted to chip over the advancing Lindley who stretched up, got a hand to the ball, and diverted it to safety.
And, a minute from time, Lindley did well to deny substitute Danny Davidson with his legs as Alfreton ended the match looking for more goals.

ALFRETON: Sutcliffe, Marples, McFadzean, Ellender, M. Wilson, Curtis, Muirhead, Hall (Marquin Smith 83), Clayton (Cusworth 75), Hearn (Davidson 80), Law. Subs not used: Brown, Evans.
HUCKNALL: Lindley, Baxter, Walters, Meikle, Matthews (Timons 37), Sucharewycz, L. Wilson, O'Brien, Ricketts (Ward 59), Bacon, Liburd (Mitchell ht). Subs not used: Kettle, Mark Smith.
REFEREE: Mick Bell of Rotherham.
ATTENDANCE: 571.
GOALS: Alfreton –Clayton 16; Muirhead 26, 45+1; Hearn 62, 72.
CAUTIONS: Alfreton – M. Wilson 43 ('professional' foul on Ricketts). Hucknall – L. Wilson 54 (dissent).
MAN OF THE MATCH: Ben Muirhead.