Written by Liam Henton

Alfreton’s stirring second half comeback halted thanks to late winner from Linnets.

Alfreton Town can consider themselves extremely unfortunate not to come away from National League North leaders King’s Lynn Town with something on Tuesday (September 13) night after a superb second half performance.

Having pulled back a half-time two-goal deficit the Reds had the hosts firmly on the back foot, only to concede late in the game to be edged out by the odd goal in five.

A relatively poor first half saw the Linnets score two simple goals through Gold Omotayo on nine minutes and Ben Stephens in added time whilst the Reds relied on sporadic attacks without looking threatening.

There was a different vibe about Alfreton after the break with a succession of corners being forced before Bailey Hobson struck a beauty from 20 yards in the 53rd minute from a Matt Rhead flick-on, leaving keeper Paul Jones stretching in vain.

Five minutes later a superb Fraser Preston free-kick was equally dealt with by Jones with a fingertip save, the ensuing flag-kick leading to a deserved equaliser.

Danny Preston delivered the corner and amidst a crowded six-yard box Dom Smith did extremely well to force Adam Crowther into heading past his own keeper.

Withing minutes an angled drive from Fraser Preston forced another corner, which was again taken by his namesake with Omotayo almost heading through his own net this time.

A goal-line clearance at the other end by George Cantrill from Omotayo relieved the pressure for Lynn, but on 84 minutes a shot from Hobson took a massive deflection off a defender and almost wrong-footed the keeper, who did well to smother.

Just 60 seconds from full-time, Stephens struck again from close range to seal a win for the hosts.