Alfreton 0 AFC Telford 0 - Match analysis

The overwhelming feeling for the Telford players and management leaving the Impact Arena was one of relief.

Relief that they had secured a point which for much of the afternoon had looked in danger, relief that they had pulled a point further away from the Blue Square Bet Premier relegation zone, and in the case of Bucks defender Ryan Valentine, relief that his act of stupidity midway through the first half didn't have more lasting damage. Save perhaps for Paul Clayton's calves.

The Bucks full-back enjoyed a nightmare afternoon which ended prematurely 21 minutes in when he clattered two-footed into Alfreton striker Clayton from behind earning a red card.

• See pictures from AFC Telford's draw with Alfreton

At best it was reckless, at worst it was downright dangerous.

Valentine will point to an apparent elbow from Clayton early in the game which left the Bucks defender with a cut under his eye.

And perhaps he had a point.

But what made it worse was that the former Wrexham man had to leave the pitch for seven minutes while receiving stitches.

Time enough to calm down and compose himself, or so you would think.

But his return effectively consisted of sprinting across the pitch to his right-back position and then, when Clayton received the ball with his back to goal, steaming into him, picking up his red card and stalking back to the changing room.

Fortunately, Alfreton's Leigh Franks was in a charitable mood and sacrificed himself to ensure parity with a similarly poor challenge on Ryan Brooke nine minutes later.

That undoubtedly helped Telford's cause but Alfreton were the better team all afternoon. The home side were more threatening in the final third with the Bucks simply failing to create any clear cut chances.

After the game went to 10-a-side both teams took a while to adapt and the first half saw very little in terms of goalmouth action.

Franks headed straight at Ryan Young shortly before he saw red, while Clayton wasted a glorious chance when he flicked a right-footed effort over from six yards following a miscued Chris Blackburn clearance.

It was probably the only mistake the Bucks defender made in an accomplished performance. And boy was it needed after the interval.

Alfreton poured forward in numbers creating several chances, enough to win two games. The fact that they didn't manage to win this one was down to a dogged and determined Telford backline, expertly marshalled by Blackburn.

Anything that did creep past the visiting defence was claimed by Ryan Young, who enjoyed another fine day between the posts.

The Bucks No 1 saved smartly from an Anthony Wilson long ranger before reacting brilliantly to keep out Clayton's follow up four minutes after the re-start.

Wilson was unfortunate again later in the half when Blackburn nodded his effort off the line.

There were further efforts from Clayton, Jarman and Nathan Arnold but none could find the target as the Bucks goal, despite living a charmed life, survived.

At the other end, Chris Sharp, sent on at the break to give the visitors some extra mobility, might as well have remained on the sidelines such was the infrequency with which he saw the ball.

The one time he did get near it his volley fell to Steve Jones who was denied by debutant home goalkeeper John Stewart.

Aside from that, and another Jones chance which Stewart again smothered, the Bucks failed to get out of their own half.

It was a similar story to the trip to Lincoln the previous week, but on both occasions Telford have emerged with a point.

It might not have been pretty and it may not live long in the memory, but if the Bucks stay above the dreaded drop line come the season's end, few fans will care.

Alex James

See also:

• Andy Sinton: I need more time with AFC Telford players

• Alfreton 0 AFC Telford 0