Alfreton claimed an early lead through the Blues’ very own Riece Bertram – an unfortunate own goal – but the Blues equalised through Tom Cursons at the start of the second half.

Both teams began the match with high intensity, using the wet and skippy surface to their advantage as they tried to find that killer pass through the opposing defence.

It was the Reds that were gifted the first real chance of the match. An over-commitment from the Blues’ defence allowed Alfreton to counterattack through Jordan Thewlis – the winger then switched the ball over to Liam Waldock who struck on a tight angle and forced a near post save from Ross Durrant.

A rare defensive mistake cost the Blues an early goal just 22 minutes into the match – after a simple cross, Bertram looked to head the ball back to Durrant in between the sticks, unaware that the Blues shot-stopper was out of position, which meant the ball trickled into the back of his own net.

L’Varn Brandy had an opportunity to equalise for United moments later, but after latching onto Callum Minkley’s deflected cross, the tricky winger could not quite guide his header on target.

Possession seemed to be the main aim for both sides throughout the first half, but as that came to an end, and the second began, a goal-scoring opportunity was very much on the cards.

With a slight spring in their step, the Blues took advantage early in the second half. Brandy displayed some exceptional footwork to get past Josh Clackstone and drill a low cross into the Alfreton box – the ball then deflected towards goal, but was saved by Jake Askew, only for Cursons to tuck home the rebound.

Determined to put themselves back ahead, Alfreton made some attacking substitutes to try and pry open a chance – which nearly came to fruition in the 76th minute, although James Oliver’s driven effort on goal after a teasing run could not quite find the target.

Seconds after the restart, the Reds had another opportunity through former United winger Jamie Walker. This time Oliver’s lofted cross was met by the momentum fuelled Walker; however, the forward could not quite find the target.

As the game slowly came to its conclusion, there was one last chance for Deakin’s side through trialist Alex Hardwick – the striker received the ball inside the box after a brilliant display of strength from Micah Jebbison, but the trialist could only lift the ball onto the top of the crossbar and out of play.