Alfreton draw 3-3 at Hednesford in another thriller

It was another goal feast between struggling Hednesford Town and 10-men Alfreton Town as they drew 3-3 in the Vanarama Conference North at Keys Park this afternoon.

That is 16 goals in three games between them this season and the Reds will need to tighten up at the back for next Saturday’s visit of FC United of Manchester.

They will also need to keep 11 men on the pitch after Sam Jones was sent off as early as the 15th minute for an off-the-ball incident.

By then Alfreton were already 1-0 down after a retaken penalty saw Shelton Payne put the home side ahead after Allen had brought down Payne on 13 minutes

The referee then awarded Hednesford a second penalty on 24 minutes which Payne just managed to get under Duke after Todd Jordan had brought down Cham.

The Reds pulled one back before Hednesford made it 3-1 through Fitzwater on 37 minutes.

Tempers flared before the break after a late tackle which saw players and both managers squaring up.

Alfreton then stepped up a gear in the second half, pulled one back from a penalty of their own and finally levelled when Sam Smith netted from a corner.

Both sides had a chance to win it, but both keepers earned their corn.