Written by Liam Henton for Alfreton Town FC

Alfreton Town fell to a first defeat since November on Tuesday night (February 7) at the Impact Arena when visitors Curzon Ashton came from behind to win 2-1 on a hugely frustrating night for the the ten man Reds.

Proceedings had got off to the ideal start for Billy Heath`s men when Jordan Thewlis pounced to tap home a Matt Rhead knockdown from an accurate Adam Lund throw with just 82 seconds on the watch. It was Thewlis` third goal in his last two matches and fourth in total since joining Alfreton from Spennymoor Town in November 2022.

With ten minutes gone Adam Lund thundered a shot wide from a Matt Rhead lay off.

Soon the man in the middle Mr Corbett decided to take something of a starring role. A series of baffling decisions began as Dwayne Wiley picked up the first of what would turn out to be two bookings on 22 minutes before Jordan Thewlis was also cautioned for dissent.

Thewlis continued to pose a threat, firing wide of the post on 23 minutes before just moments later cutting inside and striking the ball just over the bar.

The visitors had barely threatened but drew themselves level against the run of play when former Altrincham Striker Tom Peers marauded through and lifted the ball over George Willis after a Reds move had broken down in midfield despite a strong sense of offside the controversial officials waived away any appeals.

The two sides went in to the break locked together at 1-1 but not before the combative Adam Lund was the fourth player in the referee’s notebook in the first half before the Alfreton midfielder picked up a nasty looking injury in the closing stages of the opening half which meant he could not continue and indeed did not return for the second half.

Conor Branson came on for the stricken Adam Lund at half time and had the Reds first shot when his volley was held by Nash goalkeeper Chris Renshaw following a George Cantrill throw.

Curzon began to grow more and more confident as the second half wore on as debutant Jimmy Spencer, signed just hours before kick off from league Rivals Farsley Celtic saw his shot acrobatically turned round the post for a corner by George Willis.

Chances were at a premium for both sides before Dwayne Wiley improvised to hook a volley wide for the Reds with 17 minutes to go.

The Reds defender who has been a colossus all season saw himself on the end of a harsh second yellow from ref Corbett after an unfortunate coming together near the halfway line on 76 minutes.