Reds break a losing run but can’t quite hang on for the win
ALFRETON Town were within moments of victory away to Southport before conceding an equaliser in a 1-1 draw.
Jordan Archer struck for the home side in the 94th minute to cancel out a fine 30th-minute strike by Bobby Johnson for the Reds, who at least ended a run of four straight defeats in Vanarama National North.
The game lacked quality throughout, with Alfreton having the better of the first half and Southport the better of the second.
It was Southport, however, who started strongest, with Will Atkinson having to clear an early cross before he then lost the ball on the edge of the box and was saved by an offside flag.
Nicky Walker curled a free kick into the area when the Reds got forward but goalkeeper Dan Hanford gathered it.
Alfreton’s first decent chance came after 11 minutes when Walker was played through and, with only Hanford to beat, his shot was saved to his right by the goalkeeper.
George Newell had a shot blocked at the other end before Toby Lees nodded a free kick on to Danny Clarke, who went past Hanford but misplaced his attempt to pull the ball back for Dan Bradley.
As the Reds continued to press, Johnson could not connect cleanly with a shot that trickled to Hanford but, after 31 minutes, he did better.
A long throw was cleared to the edge of the box and Johnson’s superb shot arrowed into the bottom corner, leaving Hanford rooted.
It was a piece of quality the game had needed after the teams had cancelled each other out up to that point.
The hosts had their best chance yet just before half-time. Connor Woods set up David Morgan inside the box and he dinked the ball over keeper George Willis – but wide.
The second half was again even at first.
Adam Lund sent a cracking ball in but Clarke could not connect at the far post. Bradley then curled
an effort over the bar when a corner was cleared back to him.
Willis cut out Wood’s low cross after a dangerous run, then the Southport winger shot wide after playing a one-two on the edge of the box.
Right-back Matthew Challoner blazed a shot over as Southport got on top and the Reds brought on Elliott Reeves to try to have more of an outlet and some pace up front.
Reeves and Johnson soon combined to give Bradley another chance but he shot wide.
Back came Southport and Bradley and Lund both cleared corners away.
Josh Clackstone blocked a shot from Woods inside the box and another shot from the winger took a deflection to pass wide for a corner.
Willis punched that away and, as the hosts’ frustrations grew, it began to look as if Alfreton would hold out.
They had a couple more chances themselves as Connor Branson and Reeves both shot over with the clock ticking down.
As the game entered stoppage time, a brilliant point-blank save from Willis denied Archer after a scramble.
It was not quite enough as, finally, Archer squeezed a finish into the bottom corner from a cross to save a point for his side.