Although Alfreton Town stretched their unbeaten run to eight League and Cup games at Chester on Tuesday night there was bitter disappointment at conceding their first goal in 587 minutes deep into added time.

It was the first time the Reds had allowed the ball to hit the back of their net since Ilkeston Town succeeded in the 42nd minute of a Derbyshire Senior Cup tie eight weeks earlier that Alfreton had won 6-1.

Dayle Southwell had given the visitors a deserved lead on 39 minutes when he rifled home from 16 yards a neat lay-off from Matt Rhead as Danny Preston's ball from just inside the Chester half opened up the opportunity.

Moments earlier a long, high punt from Adam Lund had lured Matty Williams into heading over his own keeper with Kieran Coates saving the day with a goal-line clearance.

With half-time approaching Josh Clackstone maintained Alfreton's advantage by heading off the line from Charlie Caton.

Earlier in the half Kurt Willoughby had seen a couple of efforts saved by George Willis, whilst Bailey Hobson saw a decent chance blocked at the other end.

The hosts had a long unbeaten run themselves to defend, yet did little to press the Reds on the back foot, with their 2070 fans in the bumper crowd growing increasingly impatient with their performance.

Right at the end an unfortunate misjudgement by sub Milan Butterfield allowed Alex Brown to scamper clear down the left flank before Anthony Dudley fired home from six yards through a crowded box to spare Chester's blushes.

ALFRETON:

Willis; Clackstone, Preston, Cantrill [Branson 75], Smith, Wiley,
Thewlis, Lund, Rhead, Southwell, Hobson [Butterfield 90+2].
other subs: Denton, Oliver, Askew.

Referee: David McNamara
Attendance: 2086