A dire goal-less draw - Alfreton Town's first of the season - would normally be associated with two teams that had nothing to play for at this stage of the season.
However, the point at Droylsden on Monday night was all that the Reds needed to guarantee at least two extra games in the Blue Square North play-offs for the second season running, while the hosts needed to win to stand any chance of progress themsel
ves.
Add to that two decades of Droylsden domination at the Butchers Arms Ground, where Alfreton had only once previously avoided defeat against the Bloods, and this was not as bad a result as the game itself.
The Reds started very brightly before taking their foot off the gas, while a disappointing Droylsden only tested Reds' keeper Ross Turner on one occasion when he tipped away a Liam Brownhill free-kick in the 58th minute, but even then the assistant referee had flagged for offside.
TJ Nightingale replaced Liam Hearn up front and saw a header held by home keeper Craig Mawson in the second minute, then two minutes later Alfreton's best chance of the game came and went.
Josh Law did exceptionally well to keep the ball in at the by-line and deliver a telling cross that Lee Roche could only clear as far as Andy Todd 10 yards out, and the recalled midfielder hammered the loose ball goalward only for Colin Cryan to block at the expense of a corner.
Anton Brown scuffed a reasonable chance wide in the eighth minute, then Droylsden survived a penalty appeal when Paul Clayton appeared to be pushed, but a string of free-kicks in favour of the home side soon broke up the Reds' momentum.
Alex Brown put in a useful cross in the 21st minute that Paul Smith blazed high and wide, then Shaun Whalley fired a free-kick tamely straight at Turner four minutes later as Droylsden briefly threatened.
Five minutes before the break Law had to clear a Tony Gray header out of the danger area, then in the 49th minute Mawson carelessly hacked a clearance straight at Nightingale's rear then had to watch anxiously as the ball rebounded wide.
A Kyle McFadzean free-kick in the 63rd minute triggered a brace of shots from Anthony Howell that were blocked before Nightingale's weak header was held, then 10 minutes later Todd's left flank cross was aimed for Nightingale but Steve Halford managed to intercept in the nick of time.
The game ended with a couple of useful crosses from Droylsden defender Brownhill in the final minute, the first headed clear by McFadzean and the follow-up held comfortably by Turner.
ALFRETON: Turner; Law, Shaw, Flint, McFadzean, Todd, Moult, Brown, Clayton (Hearn 71), Nightingale, Howell (C.Hall 69). Subs not used: Mills, North, Wilson.
ATTENDANCE: 329.
