2006/2007 Season. Match no.39 - Conference North
Tuesday, March 20th, 2007
ALFRETON TOWN 1, Scarborough 1

Report by Gordon Foster (Mansfield CHAD) and Kev Miles

SUBSTITUTE Matt Glass emerged to grab a late equaliser and earn a point for beleagured Alfreton Town against troubled Scarborough on Tuesday night.
Glass popped up three minutes from time to cancel out the Seadogs’ 34th-minute lead and save the embarrassment of what would have been the Reds’ fourth successive defeat without scoring.
Scarborough’s own troubles, which have seen a 10-point deduction and a transfer embargo, have been well documented.
But like their visitors, Alfreton’s squad has been pared to the bone to the extent that neither side could muster five substitutes - and Alfreton’s were all youngsters.
Indeed it was a case for the senior players of ‘If you’re fit you’re in’ - many were not.
And just to rub salt into the wounds, on-loan striker Steve Scoffham picked up an injury - just as he did in his last loan spell, albeit less seriously this time - and Tommy Hannigan also picked up an injury.
Scarborough had by far the better of the first half. Being in danger of a second successive relegation, they had more to scrap for, and on this showing they will succeed.
Chris Thompson, Carl Cook and Lee Cartwright all went close inside the first 10 minutes in a bright opening for the visitors.
Alfreton’s only half chance saw Tris Whitman’s driven cross held under the angle by Wilberforce.
Hannigan needed treatment after being clattered in the 25th minute, and although he soldiered on for the full match, he was back on the treatment table afterwards.
Alfreton were furious in the 33rd minute when Andy Tiday appeared to be brought down as he tried to get his shot away, after latching onto David Reeves’ flick on deep in the area.
But it was a brief respite as Scarborough struck straight back at the other end and surged into a lead that they undoubtedly merited.
Cook met Cartwright’s cross from the right and swept the ball home from 14 yards, despite a gallant dive by Reds keeper Dale Roberts.
The Seadogs threatened again four minutes later and Emeka Nwadike came up with a fine piece of cool defending deep in the area to prevent Blott from getting in on goal.
It was not until right at the end of the half that Alfreton managed a real shot at goal, when Tiday’s 25-yard drive whistled three yards wide.
The Reds must have been blitzed in the dressing room at half time. On the re-start Wilberforce saved from Scoffham and Reeves, while Tiday’s effort was deflected for a corner from Marcus Ebdon’s defence-splitting pass.
Scarborough hit back with a shot on the turn from Tony Hackworth, which Roberts held.
The Reds’ best chance so far came in the 66th minute. Hannigan’s free kick flicked off the head of Beadle, and Wilberforce had to produce a great one-handed diving save to prevent an own goal.
As Alfreton began to press with more urgency in the last 20 minutes Tiday laid off Ebdon’s header to Reeves who had to stretch for the shot and couldn’t keep it on target.
But Scoffham suffered a hamstring injury in the 74th minute and had to be replaced by Glass.
Blott saw his effort comfortably saved by Roberts, but the visitors were now being restricted to hitting on the break.
Ashley Burbeary collected a clearing header from Ingram but volleyed well wide.
But three minutes from time the drought was over, when Glass hooked the ball into the bottom corner following an astute knock down by Reeves.
Whitman had the chance to win it for Alfreton in the final minute of the 90, but shot straight at Wilberforce, but Glass’ goal had at least denied Scarborough their first ever win at Alfreton in six attempts.
Alfreton: Roberts, Clarke, Brown, Hannigan, Nwadike, Burbeary, Tiday, Ebdon, Scoffham (Glass 74), Reeves, Whitman. Subs not used: Harcourt, Flanagan, Large.
Scarborough: Wilberforce, Lyth, Hotte, Cartwright, Beadle, Ingram, Blott, Vermiglio, Hackworth, Thompson, Cook. Subs not used: Davies, Thornton, Amos, Dalton.
Referee: Matt Foley of Sheffield.
Attendance: 236.
Goals: Alfreton - Glass 87. Scarborough - Cook 34.
REDS MAN OF THE MATCH: Ryan Clarke.