Report: Reds step up to hold leaders

Alfreton Town produced one of their best displays of the season to end our dismal run of defeats and grab a well earned draw against league leaders Kings Lynn on Saturday afternoon.

Amari Morgan-Smith grabbed his 16th of the season in all competitions on four minutes with a cracking half-volley after a long ball forward from Jordan Wright bamboozled the Linnets defence.

Adam Marriott equalised just a minute later with an acrobatic finish from close range following a Kings Lynn free kick. However Ryan Qualter responded again for Alfreton with a first time low curling finish from Michael Freiter's short corner.

However Kings Lynn snatched a point on 77 minutes when Gash poked home following a Marriott header in the box which Jordan Wright tipped onto the bar.

The game started in perfect fashion for the Reds, after early defending from Ryan Qualter and Josh Thacker to deny several crosses into the box; we struck first on four minutes when a long goal kick from Jordan Wright towards Danny Clarke was mis-judged by the Linnets back-line; Amari Morgan-Smith raced on and finished into the top corner past Street with a stunning half volley.

However just a minute later, Kings Lynn equalised when a free kick towards Gash was headed on towards Marriott and the league's top scorer finish acrobatically into the top corner.

The goals kept coming and the Reds restored the lead on seven minutes when a short corner from Michael Freiter found Qualter who hit a first time curling low shot into the bottom corner in what proved to an explosive opening ten minutes at the Impact. Alfreton showed tremendous character, especially after conceding the equaliser to hit back again against the leaders to retake the lead.

Kings Lynn looked to respond again, Jones hit a free kick from 25 yards into the wall, Josh Clackstone tackled well on Gash in the box before Wright claimed a loose ball after another dangerous cross came into our box.

Ben Tomlinson missed a chance after an exquisite pass from Amari, Tomlinson's first touch took him wide in the box before Street saved the shot. Gash headed wide from a cross in a rare opening for the visitors since their goal.

The Linnets were growing increasingly frustrated as their combination play broke down and the Reds pressing and solid shape made for a fantastic first half display. Wright raced out to intercept a threaded pass towards Marriott, Clarke headed a corner away before Hawkins fired over the bar from 25 yards.

Clackstone stopped Marriott's dangerous run on the left, Conor Branson nodded a low cross away before Richards had a shot blocked and another last ditch feint touch denied Gash at the far post, as the pressure grew. Marriott wasted a good shooting opportunity, opting to cut back inside when he was found in the box, Branson denied him with a challenge.

The second half started well again for us with our pressing and work rate on show immediately, Tomlinson had an effort blocked before Bobby Johnson tested Street with a low shot from distance.

Marriott scuffed a shot in the box when well placed, Josh Thacker cleared another dangerous cross before we had the ball in the net on 58 minutes when Tomlinson challenged Street after he collected a cross from Danny Preston, Street spilled the ball into the net but the foul was given for Tomlinson's push, despite protests.

The tempo was ferocious with both sides looking for decisions from the Referee and the urgency from the leaders evident. Tomlinson cleared another corner before Bobby blocked a cross from the right.

Wright produced two cracking saves, the first to palm away the ball following a scramble after a cross into the box. Jordan then denied Marriott from a few yards with his legs before being fouled jumping on the loose ball.

Then with 77 gone, Kings Lynn found the equaliser when Wright palmed a Marriott header onto the bar, however the rebound was poked into the top corner by Gash. The leveller was a deserved one for the visitors with the Reds gradually sitting deeper as the second period progressed.

Marriott fired wide of the post from inside the box before Street palmed away Bobby's shot from inside the D, Johnson then curled wide on the run as the game drew to a close giving the Reds just a second draw of the league season.

It was a vastly improved display and a performance mirroring our displays across August and September, the Reds will look to build on a positive point gained and will feel unlucky to have not come away with all three against the leaders. We go again on New Years Day as we look for all three points when Telford visit the Impact, kick off is 3pm.

ATFCXI: Wright, Clackstone, Thacker, Lynch (c) (Johnson 45), Qualter, Branson, Preston, Tomlinson (Oyibo 82), Clarke, Morgan-Smith, Freiter (East 57).

Subs Not Used: Andrew, Blake.

Referee: Tom Bishop
Attendance: 555