The visitors had already picked up a 22nd minute lead when sub Jack Bearne astutely lobbed George Willis, the Reds’ problems compounded four minutes after the break when the Alfreton keeper was forced to withdraw through injury.

Summer signing Jake Askew made his debut in goal after waiting patiently all season on the bench, and after a nervous start when he slipped with his first touch he gained confidence and for his part kept a clean sheet.

Faced with these setbacks Alfreton knuckled down to take the game to Kidderminster and were eventually rewarded with a late penalty
five minutes from time when Danny Preston’s by-line run was brought to a halt – Matt Rhead’s spot kick was parried by keeper Tom Billson but the tenacious striker reacted quickest to bury the loose ball.

Harriers had begun the game the brighter with Ashley Hemmings and Amari Morgan-Smith both going close, whilst in response Butterfield had seen a free-kick saved after Preston had been brought down inches from the angle of the penalty area, and later in the half Rhead’s powerful shot was blocked.

A jinking run by Bailey Hobson at the midpoint of the second half resulted in his shot being saved by Billson, then on 80 minutes Caleb Richards smashed the ball against Askew’s crossbar in an isolated Kidderminster attack.

As manager Billy Heath reflected in his post-match interview “it felt more like a win than a draw” under the circumstances.