They could only manage a losing draw, but still secured a useful 11 points from the match.

Jon Hughes won the toss, and asked Alvaston to bat first on a firm pitch.

They had some significant early success, with openers Anthony Woolley and Chris Mcllroy falling cheaply to leave the visitors on 29 for 2.

There then followed a recovery from David Tittershill and Achin Chand which appeared to be the base for a large total.

Chand fell for a useful 57 and Tittershill for 33, but from there the innings stumbled somewhat.

Wickets fell at regular intervals, and the home side took control.

Some determined batting by the tail took Alvaston to 189 for 9 at the end of the overs.

Fahad Masood and Thomas Young with three each were the leading wicket takers for Alfreton, for 43 and 53 respectively.

The score did seem to be about 40 short of par in the conditions.

In reply Alfreton were guilty of some careless cricket as they lost early wickets.

After Jake Simpson was dismissed by a full toss for one, the middle order failed to consolidate.

Anthony Woolley and Steve Ottewell produced accurate spells of seam bowling as the home batsmen lacked patience.

They were reduced to 80 for 5, and faced a big task ahead.

Graham Bush and Andy Gwatkin, however, produced a superb 86 stand for the sixth wicket.

Running singles, and waiting for the bad ball proved to be just the ticket as the pair inched to the target.

With just over 30 needed from the last seven overs, the home side were now favourites.

However Gwatkin made his one mistake to fall for a very fine 51, and it was game on again.

Bush was still batting superbly however, and it remained too close to call.

Wickets were falling at the other end, and Bush finally perished for an excellent 41.

Alfreton with only one wicket left and 13 runs needed, then decided to play out the final two overs, finishing on 179 for 9.

Ottewell with 4 for 56 and Woolley (3 for 50) had done an excellent job for the visitors.

In a tense hard game of cricket, Alfreton will be kicking themselves for missing out on a victory.

Other results went kindly however, and they stay in third place ahead of tomorrow’s visit to Chesterfield.