FULL TIME: ALFRETON 1 HARRIERS 1 (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

FULL TIME: ALFRETON 1 HARRIERS 1

8:10pm Saturday 22nd September 2012 in News

Harriers remain rooted to the bottom of the Blue Square Bet Premier after they were held to a fifth consecutive draw at Alfreton on Saturday, the Aggborough outfit still yet to taste victory this term.

Steve Burr opted to make just the one change to the side that held Grimsby to a 0-0 draw at Aggborough just seven days previous; front-man Nathan Blissett preferred to winger Danny Pilkington who dropped out of the 16.

Keen to build on their recent form and no doubt eager to rub some salt in the wounds of Harriers’ season so far, Alfreton made by far the brighter start and had good early efforts as Nathan Arnold saw a shot save and Leigh Franks also went close.

James Vincent registered he first chance of the day for Harriers as he shot straight at goalkeeper Jon Stewart after being supplied by Callum Gittings inside ten minutes, Nathan Blissett sending a header just inches wide five minutes later.

Two minutes before the half-hour mark the deadlock was broken and certainly it went with the run of play as Alfreton sole ahead, Anthony Malbon bundled off the ball as Arnold charged forward before feeding Dan Bradley who powered home against his former club.

Chey Dunkley’s header from Gittings’ corner seven minutes before the break was kept out well by some strong defending, and just after there was a good chance for Blissett but his angled effort from 18 yards flew just wide of the far post.

Harriers began the second period brightly and had half chances through Blissett and Malbon but at the other end Nathan Vaughan almost found himself beaten for a second time as Arnold lined one up from distance before curling it agonisingly wide.

On 64 minutes the scores were level as the men in yellow got rewarded for a good spell of pressure, Malbon struck for his second goal of the season as he picked up on a Blissett pass from out wide before leaving Stewart with no chance.

Anton Brown drove an effort wide just after as the home side looked to respond instantly. Both management teams continued to make changes as the second half became a bit more stretched but there was still one good chance apiece before the end.

On 82 minutes Malbon took possession of the ball 30 yards out, checked wide for options but with no one closing him down decided to go it alone - it almost brought him an instant reward as he drove at Stewart but the stopper matched it with a strong save.

With just five minutes of normal time remaining Harriers were almost haunted once more by a former player as Simon Russell , on as a substitute, made a good run from midfield before forcing Vaughan down low for a late save.

Harriers: N Vaughan, L Vaughan, Gowling, Dunkley, Demetriou, Briggs, Vincent, Gittings (Shakes 79), Malbon, Peniket (Johnson 69), Blissett.

Subs not used: D Lewis, Williams, Rowe.

Alfreton: Stewart, Law (Tomlinson 73), Franklin, Quinn, Brown, Bradley (Taylor 78), Arnold, Franks, Meadows (Russell 52), Wilson, Streete.

Subs not used: Clayton, Worsfold.

Attendance: 659 Referee: Jason Whiteley