AFC Telford 1 Alfreton 1 - Report and pictures

The home side were forced to play with one less player for more than 70 minutes, after Sean Clancy was shown a straight red for a late tackle on Todd Jordan.

But it was the Telford players who had all the running, created the best chances and were the most disappointed with 1-1 draw at the final whistle.

Manager Rob Smith hailed his side's performance and said it was clear for today's match that his side was more than capable of fighting their way to safety.

A goal after just three minutes gave Telford the lead, which was cruelly cancelled out just before half-time, during an action-packed game.

The match started with an early free kick for Alfreton out wide on the right, which was swung in but well punched away by goalkeeper James Montgomery.

Hibbert followed that up with another whipped in cross from the other end, but nothing came of it.

The came after just three minutes when Clancy played the ball to McCarthy, who rifled it in from about six yards out.

The home side's great start also saw McCarthy brought down on the edge of the box in very good position just to the left of the goal, which went wide.

A nice cross from Alfreton's Niail Heaton was well cleared with the head of centre-back Paul McCone, who looked solid at in defence playing alongside Curtis Tilt.

Jake Hibbs struck a decent free kick, but his effort was always curling just wide of the left hand post.

The positive start continued courtesy of a Robert Paratore header from Clancy's great cross, which was well-saved on 14 minutes.

Telford went close again when Clancy broke clear and played the ball inside to Hibbert, whose effort curled just wide of the right hand post.

The match was turned on its head when Clancy was given his marching orders for a late tackle with 19 minutes on the clock.

Another late challenge soon followed as the game started to heat up, this time from Alfreton's Thomas Allan, who went into the referee's book.

Tilt headed the resulting free kick over the bar from about eight yards out.

Ryan Wilson was the next Alfreton player to get booked when he brought down Hibbs, who was causing the defence real problems.

Hibbert saw nice effort parried by the goalkeeper on the half hour mark as the game turned into a more cagey affair.

The equaliser came on 37 minutes, slightly against the run of play,when Samuel Jones was the quickest to react to Montgomery's save following a corner.

Telford continued to press through Hibbert, who spun and went down in the box but no penalty was given.

Alfreton captain Daniel Bradley was booked for yet another late challenge.

He was soon substituted for John Johnson on 43 minutes, with manager Mark Pearson sensing a red card could soon be coming.

Montgomery made a great save adjusting his feet to parry Andy Thanoj's goal bound effort.

Alfreton started the second half with a corner, which somehow missed the head of Samuel Jones and went out for a goal kick.

McCarthy and Hibbert continued to look a handful upfront, with Telford opting to keep two in attack despite being a man down.

A shot from Jones flew over the bar on 52 minutes for visitor's first real shot of the half.

Jack Rea battled well to win the ball and then Dwayne Samuels stopped a dangerous through ball in the box, which showed how hard Telford were battling.

Hibbs was nearly put through but had to settle for a corner, which again went straight to the goalkeeper.

At the other end, a good cross from Thanoj found Robertson on 58 minutes but he could not supply the finish from six yards with his back to goal.

Paratore made way for Lucas Dawson on 61 minutes and then Telford went close.

An excellent break from Hibbs saw the winger play in McCarthy. The striker twisted, turned and got a shot in, which was well saved from nine yards.

McCarthy again found a way through a won a corner, which was cleared only as far as Hibbs but his 20 yard volley hit his team-mate Tilt.

Alfreton's Thanoj came off for Joe Ironside with 67 minutes played and then man-of-the-match McCarthy was given a standing ovation as he made way for Niall Flint on 72 minutes.

Samuels was shown a yellow card soon after and had a look of complete bemusement as he appeared to be having his own shirt pulled.

Joe Ironside nearly found a way through for the visitors and then Hibbs saw an effort blocked as the end to end action continued.

Alfreton's Robertson was replaced by Samuel Smith and for Telford substitute Flint came off for Ryan Rowe, with what looked to be an injury, on 85 minutes.

Niail Heaton wound up one of his dangerous long throw-ins and when the ball came out Ryan Wilson unleashed a 20 yard shot, which was brilliantly saved by Montgomery.

A good effort from Johnson was bravely blocked by Tilt, who didn't even flinch, with two minutes to go.

Alfreton's Todd Jordan was given a yellow card for another late tackle and then Heaton nearly won it for the visitors at the death.

He weaved his way through the defence but Montgomery again made a great save and then McCone cleared the danger almost on his own goal line.