Reeves leveller extends unbeaten run

Elliott Reeves pounced on a Neal save in the second half, to tap home from a yard out as the Reds fought to a fantastic point against new league leaders AFC Fylde and extend our unbeaten run to four league games last night.

Luke Burke had given the Coasters the lead on 38 as his driving run from the right saw the full-back strike for goal with the ball taking a deflection on its way into the top corner.

However the Reds responded in the second half and dominated the period for good periods and were rewarded for their efforts as Neal couldn't hold a Conor Branson strike, Reeves was on hand to tap home the loose ball to see the points shared.

The first half saw the visitors dominate possession with their intricate triangles and combinations in and around the Reds midfield particularly impressive. Alfreton stayed firm and remained organised, Will Atkinson had a first shot which was easily saved by Neal.

Haughton was popping up into areas and had a dangerous free kick cleared, Shaw tested George Willis with a curling effort which had to be tipped wide by the Reds goalie. The Reds continued to dig in amongst the Fylde pressure as the visitors continued to probe for an opening and control the ball.

Dan Bradley had a cross cleared before Toby Lees had to be alert to clear away a Coasters counter. Lees was called into action again to block from Haughton before the visitors grabbed the opener and it was deserved on the run of play, Burke firing an effort into the top corner past Willis with a slight deflection.

Willis punched a corner away before Reeves showed good feet but curled over the bar from outside the box. Willis tipped Haughton's effort wide as the first half came to an end.

Alfreton started the second half far better and started to cause issues straight away, the first half saw us mainly counter and have a few half chances but the second period saw more control and more threat from Billy Heath's men.

Reeves flashed a cross through the box before Branson's looping effort had to be tipped over by Neal. Hulme then latched onto a short back pass from Nathan Fox but his curling effort saw Willis get finger tips on it to push the ball wide of the post. Willis denied Tolitt's stinging drive moments later.

With 64 gone, we equalised as Reeves reacted quickest to a Branson shot from outside the box that was parried by Neal, Reeves was on hand to gobble up the ball from a yard out.

Whitmore curled wide from outside the box before the Coasters were sent down to ten men as Sampson was shown a straight Red for a late lunge on Dan Bradley.

Neal denied Nicky Walker's low effort which had to be tipped wide, Lees headed the resulting corner over the bar at the near post. However the game ended level as both sides traded chances, Fylde carried a threat even with a man light and looked composed in possession.

But the Reds will be delighted to have extended their unbeaten run and in turn match one of the fancied sides within the league and earn a well deserved point. Next up, we travel to Bradford PA on Saturday.

ATFCXI: Willis, Atkinson, Fox, Branson, Jones, Lees, Smith, Bradley (c), Clarke (Walker 45), Reeves, Johnson (Clackstone 60).

Subs Not Used: Lund, Unwin-Marris, Day.

Attendance: Behind Closed Doors