Written by Liam Henton

Reds left frustrated despite salvaging a point.

A last gasp equaliser from Dominic Smith salvaged a point for Alfreton in a fiery and eventful contest against Peterborough Sports as the two sides locked horns for the first time in their histories on Tuesday (September 27) night at the Impact Arena.

To highlight the meteoric rise of the Turbines, they were plying their trade in the Peterborough and District League in the 2013/14 season whilst Alfreton finished 11th in the Conference; the Reds’ highest ever finish.

It was the visitors who made the better start of the two sides in this keenly contested affair.

Reds keeper George Willis saved Lamine Sherif’s shot on seven minutes before he had to be alert again as he made himself big to deny Dion Sembie-Ferris who had run clear.

The hosts carried a threat of their own as Ahmed Salam’s short was comfortably saved by former Boston United and Darlington keeper Peter Crook in the Sports goal in the 14th minute.

Matt Rhead, who was on the end of some brutal challenges that went unpunished by the man in the middle, went close with a looping header from a Fraser Preston cross on 19 minutes before going even closer by connecting with a Danny Preston cross with 10 minutes of the first half of play.

Alfreton hit the front after 37 minutes as the lively F. Preston fired over the bar before Bailey Hobson saw his shot denied by the feet of Crook.

The visitors, enjoying their debut season in National League North, then grabbed an equaliser as former Kings Lynn defender Ryan Fryatt found the net with a free header from a corner just before the hour mark.

Alfreton almost regained their lead instantly as F. Preston picked out Hobson who ran through but dragged his shot wide of the post.

A full stretched George Willis denied Sembie-Ferris in the 63rd minute before referee Dean Watson, who had a difficult night throughout, was the centre of attention.

Watson awarded Peterborough Sports with a penalty kick for a handball, despite Dwayne Wiley appearing to be pushed during the incident. Willis guessed the right way but could not stop Dan Lawlor from converting the spot kick and giving the Turbines a 2-1 advantage.

In a pulsating finish with tempers beginning to fray on both sides, Alfreton did not give up.

Five added minutes were signalled and with 94 minutes on the clock, following a goal-mouth scramble, Reds defender prodded the ball home to draw the game level at 2-2.

The visitors were not quite finished though as with the very last action of the match, Willis had to be at his superb best to deny Sembie-Ferris with a sprawling save to preserve a hard earned point.