Alfreton 0 AFC Telford 0 - match report

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGEB6G10JIc

It was a point won with blood, sweat and tears – and one that proved AFC Telford United can live with the best the Blue Square Bet North has to offer.

Alfreton started the season as the bookies' favourites for promotion and nothing they have done since then has suggested they will be anything other than serious challengers.

But, for only the second time this term, they dropped points as they came up against a Telford side who defended like warriors.

It might even have been better for the Bucks, who thought they had bagged a second half winner – only for referee David Lawrence to rule the ball had not crossed the line in a World Cup '66-style incident.

In truth that would have been harsh on Alfreton, who had more of the ball, more of the territory and more chances in what was an absorbing contest.

Telford had to cope without left-back Sean Newton, who had returned from international duty with the England C team with a badly bruised foot.

Martyn Naylor had come into the team in the FA Cup replay with Buxton but a shaky performance in that one provoked a new approach from boss Andy Sinton.

He took a big gamble by splitting the successful central defensive partnership of captain Shane Killock and Liam Murray – asking the skipper to slot in at left-back and bringing Stuart Whitehead in for his first start.

Sinton also proved he can be adaptable with his tactics, packing the midfield to compete with Alfreton and asking two wide men – Greg Mills and Phillip John – to support lone striker Adam Proudlock.

The two sides rather cancelled each other out in the opening period, a string of long-range shots at either end proving of no threat to the goalkeepers.

But Telford's No 1 Ryan Young did prove his value just short of the half hour, making an excellent reaction save to deny home debutant Tom Naylor – whose goalbound header had seemed destined for the top corner.

Telford came close to breaking the deadlock just before the interval, Phil Trainer with a fierce strike that warmed Paddy Gamble's gloves.

Alfreton did not win eight in a row by being timid and they stepped on the accelerator at the start of the second half to test Telford's new-look defence.

It was an examination they passed with flying colours as the hosts still struggled to find a clear opening.

Indeed, it was their first meaningful attack of the second half that provided the game's major turning point.

It came when Mills whipped in a telling free-kick from the right and Liam Murray met it unmarked with a textbook header.

Connor Franklin came to his side's rescue by deflecting the ball up on to the bar, but there were loud appeals from the Telford players and their fans packed behind the goal who were sure it had dropped down over the line.

It proved to be Telford's last real chance as Alfreton heaped ever more pressure on during the closing stages.

Will Salmon, Carl Rodgers and the ever-reliable Killock all made important blocks while Young saved late from Liam Hearn – though so confident was their display that none of this ever looked like panic defending.

There was one more moment of late drama as home substitute Paul Clayton was sent off for a two-footed lunge on Killock.

The referee had no choice but to show a straight red and, coming three minutes into stoppage time, it had little bearing on the game.

It was a sour end to a real heavyweight clash that lived up to its billing.

The return clash at the New Bucks Head on February 22 should be a definite date for your diaries.

Match analysis by Chris Hudson