2009/2010 Season. Match no. 18. Blue Square North game no. 15.
Saturday, October 31st, 2009

Fleetwood Town 2, Alfreton Town 2

Match pics by Dave Purseglove here

Alfreton Town were forced to settle for a draw at big spenders Fleetwood on Saturday after leading 2-0 through Andy Todd and Damian Reeves by the 56th minute of their Blue Square North encounter.
A draw would certainly have been acceptable before the game commenced, but there was definite disappointment that the two-goal lead was eroded away during an intensive spell of Fleetwood pressure.
And there was more than a suggestion of doubt about the validity of the late equaliser when Reds' keeper Paddy Gamble appeared to be pushed as he failed to gather a deep cross from Nathan Pond that was swept home by Steve McNulty.
With barely 60 seconds gone, Richard Pell glanced a header wide from an Ian Ross free-kick, then nine minutes later Anton Brown's throw-in caused confusion as Pell's header was fumbled by home keeper Danny Hurst.
A through-ball from Brown in the 14th minute saw Hurst punch the ball against the back of Anthony Howell's head but the ball rebounded safely behind for a goal-kick and the Fleetwood keeper breathed a sigh of relief.
It was the 17th minute before the home side contributed to the game, Tom Cahill's direct run halted by Matt Wilson, with skipper Jamie Milligan firing over from the free kick.
Paul Clayton fired into the side-netting a minute later after a promising run, then in response on 22 minutes Shaun Beeley sent Gareth Seddon through, but his strong low drive was blocked by Gamble with the alert Wilson just managing to prevent Cahill from following up with a timely tackle.
A stifled overhead kick by Clayton on 28 minutes was held by Hurst after Wilson's free kick was helped on by Pell, then eight minutes later Clayton almost profited from a wayward defensive pass 15 yards from goal but the ball was scrambled clear.
Clayton hooked over from a Ross cross on 44 minutes, then in the second minute of first-half added time a hefty clearance by Gamble from an Aden Flint back-pass almost deceived Hurst who had to stretch to claim it under the bar.
Alfreton were quickly into their stride within seconds of the restart when Howell's shot took a deflection and bobbled just past the post for a corner, then on 52 minutes the opening goal arrived.
Brown's throw went back to Ross, whose cross was not dealt with by Hurst as Pell diverted the ball into the path of Todd from the back post, and the scorer obliged with a tidy shot from 16 yards.
Four minutes later Alfreton were 2-0 ahead when Reeves headed in unmarked at the back post from a deep Ross delivery for his first Reds' goal.
Fleetwood stepped up their play and went about their task of trying to salvage the game and reduced the arrears by the 68th minute.
It was made and finished by home substitutes as Steve Torpey floated in a cross from the left that rebounded across the goalline off the inside of the post, allowing Michael Wilde to head in from close range.
Gamble clutched an awkward Torpey cross amid a crowd of players on 73 minutes, then six minutes later Milligan's free-kick was brilliantly turned aside at the foot of the post by the Reds keeper.
Sean Clancy wasted a good chance for the hosts in the 84th minute, but Fleetwood were level three minutes later as Gamble pleaded in vain with the referee that he had been impeded.
Two minutes into stoppage time, Jamie McGuire was sent clear by Clancy only to fire wide, then in the fifth minute Gamble had to punch clear a well-directed Pond free kick as Alfreton nerves jangled.

Fleetwood Town: Danny Hurst, Shaun Beeley (Jamie McGuire 87), Alan Wright, Michael Taylor, Steve McNulty, Nathan Pond, Sean Clancy, Jamie Milligan, Tom Cahill (Michael Wilde 61), Gareth Seddon, Jamie Mullans (Steve Torpey 52).
Substitutes not used: Steve Connors, Lee Dodgson.
Alfreton Town: Paddy Gamble, Matt Wilson, Andy Todd, Richard Pell, Aden Flint, Ian Ross, Kyle McFadzean, Anton Brown, Paul Clayton (Josh Law 87), Damian Reeves (Jordan Hall 71), Anthony Howell.
Substitutes not used: Mattie Burke, Dominic Roma, Craig Dootson.
Referee: Mr M Ackerman of Manchester.
Attendance: 1,297.
Goals: Fleetwood Town - Michael Wilde 68, Steve McNulty 87. Alfreton Town - Andy Todd 52, Damian Reeves 56.
Bookings: Fleetwood Town - Nathan Pond (33, foul on Kyle McFadzean).
Reds man of the match: Andy Todd.