Match Report: Alfreton Town 2 - 2 Chester FC

Calum McIntyre’s men earned a point on the road at Alfreton Town after an early strike from Kurt Willoughby and a late finish from Charlie Caton cancelled out goals on either side of half-time from the hosts.

The opening exchanges at the Impact Arena were frenetic but lacked goal-mouth opportunities.

Both David Moyo and George Cantril had efforts that didn’t test Cam Mason in the Seals’ goal, while Max Hunt saw a looping header fly wide of the post.

Kurt Willoughby set the contest alight in the 36th minute with a curling strike that left George Willis in the home goal with absolutely no chance..

Willoughby hit the ball with venom to get the first goal of his second spell at the club.

Alfreton hit back just minutes later though, as Jed Abbey beat Mason with a low, drilled finish, making the scores level at the interval.

After the break Billy Heath’s men came out with purpose and Moyo had their first chance of the second period but his glancing header fell just wide.

The striker did get his goal just minutes later though when he capitalised on a loose ball in the box to strike past Mason who got a glove to the ball but could not keep it out.

Iwan Murray was brought on for his 100th appearance as a Blue just after the hour mark and he played a major role in the equaliser which came soon after.

Good work from Declan Weeks and Jordan Hunter allowed Murray to break through down the right before he fired a dangerous cross into the box.

Charlie Caton arrived with pace and smashed the ball into the back of the net, giving Willis no chance in the home goal.

It is Caton’s second in two games, after his brilliant header against Radcliffe in midweek.

The Seals put pressure on the hosts in the latter stages and Willoughby almost grabbed a winner on two occasions in the space of two minutes.

Firstly, he whipped a free-kick that just bounced just wide of the near post, before a dangerous headed effort was tipped over by an acrobatic Willis.

Late substitute Kevin Roberts also tested the keeper late on but his low shot was saved and the points were shared.

Calum McIntyre’s men go again in less than 48 hours as we host Scarborough Athletic at the Deva Stadium.

Match Report by Tom Bird.

CHESTER: Mason, Hunter (Roberts 77′), Rawlinson, Burke, Woodthorpe, Bainbridge, Glendon (Murray 64′), Weeks, Caton, Willoughby, Peers.

SUBS NOT USED: Brown, Hancox, Rosenblatt.

SCORERS: Willoughby 36′, Caton 72′