It was mixed emotions following our second 2-2 draw in a week after coming from behind to lead, but Charlie Caton’s equaliser for visiting Chester meant Alfreton had to settle for a point on Saturday in National League North

The last five contents between the two sides played at the Impact Arena have ended in a draw, so it was set to be a close contest, and so it proved

The opening exchanges were hotly contested but without either side creating a notable chance.

The first chances of the game fell to Alfreton with David Moyo, George Cantril and Adam Anson all having efforts without really troubling Mason in goal.

Shortly after the half hour mark the game had its opening goal, and what a strike. Kurt Willoughby cut in from the left side curled perfectly into the top right corner leaving George Willis with no chance to hand Chester the advantage.

Chester continued to have the majority of the play after the goal but it was Alfreton that stung next. Nathan Newall’s switch of play arrived at the feet of Billy Whitehouse who played wide to Jed Abbey to strike past Mason for his second in as many games. Alfreton crucially getting parity before half time

The teams went into half time level after a keenly contested and combative half.

It was Alfreton who took the front foot after the break. Moyo had a header drop just wide of the post following some more good wide play from Billy Whitehouse.

Soon after Moyo’s third goal of the season gave us the lead. Chester failed to clear following a corner and Lund lofted a ball into the box and after some nice interplay from Cantrill and Hunt, Jed Abbey’s initials shot was saved by Mason in net, but Moyo poked on the line and gave Alfreton a deserved lead.

Alfreton have not scored from a direct free kick since Bishop Stortford away last November. The dangerous Abbey looked to put an end to that on 66 minutes but his stunning effort cannoned off the bar

Unfortunately like Tuesday night at Leamington the Reds were left to rue missed chances. Chester caused us problems down their right hand side all afternoon with clever interchanging between Weeks, Hunter and Murray and it was that trio that combined to set Murray free down the wing and his pinpoint cross met an onrushing Carlie Caton to fire home from eight yards.

The best chances of the later stages of the match fell to the dangerous Willoughby of Chester and the impressive Abbey of Alfreton.

Willoughby whipped a free-kick that just bounced just wide of the near post, before a dangerous headed effort was tipped over by an acrobatic Willis.

Jed Abbey came closest to finding a winner as a free kick of his own smashed off the roof of bar and in the dying embers of the match he shifted the ball onto his left foot and let loose, but it was whiskers wide.

Both teams having to settle for a draw, having felt they could have taken all three points, as Alfreton extended their unbeaten run against the Seals to six matches and their overall unbeaten run at the Impact Arena in all competitions to sixteen matches

Alfreton now travel to Needham Market on Monday for the second leg of the bank holiday double header.

Attendance - 682