Alfreton Town poor showing away at Spalding means a replay will be required to earn a place in the Emirates FA Cup Third Qualifying Round.
Billy Heath made three changes to the starting eleven with Billy Fewster and Dwayne Wiley dropping to the bench and David Moyo out altogether due to illness. Incoming for the Reds to the starting XI was Billy Whitehouse, Adam Anson and Jake Day.

Alfreton started the better of the two sides and had a good chance to take the lead after just five minutes. Adam Lund’s first long throw of the afternoon was misjudged by Spalding keeper Tony Breeden before hitting an unexpecting Jake Day on the head and going just wide. The experienced Tulips keeper Tony Breeden once scored a penalty against Billy Heath`s Red during his time at Leamington six years previously.
It was clear from early on that Alfreton were going to be a facing a different proposition with Spalding setting up camp behind the ball and asking Alfreton to break them down. Some smart interplay between George Cantrill, Adam Lund and Billy Whitehouse created a chance for Liam Waldock on the quarter hour but his shot was dragged left of the goal. Spalding had their best chance of the half from a freekick after a foul from Max Hunt but the resulting kick was straight at Willis who enjoyed a very quiet first half in the Alfreton goal On the half hour mark, Billy Whitehouse danced down the left hand side before clipping into a good area, unfortunately there was nobody forthcoming in a red shirt and it was clear to safety for Spalding. The half ended level and for all of Alfreton’s possession and pressure, they hadn’t really troubled Breeden in net. The second half began in the same vein as the first with both sides struggling to breakdown the oposition`s backline with chances at a premium. Spalding had the first opening of the half when Ngandu broke well and got into a dangerous area before delivering a wayward cross which flew out for a Alfreton goal kick.Billy Heath made his first and only change of the game on fifty-six minutes, bringing Billy Fewster on for Billy Whitehouse.

Spalding had another opportunity from an dead ball position, this time Willis was forced into a smart save down to his right hand side and parried Nicholson`s effort before an onrushing Liam Waldock hooked clear. Midway through the second half Alfreton had their biggest opportunities to snatch the game. Firstly a poor ball across the back four by Lewis Hilliard was intercepted by Day who couldn’t get the ball out his feet quick enough to shoot himself but found Jed Abbey who drove down the right wing but his shot was wide of the post.
Shortly after, a brilliant ball into the feet of Jake Day was met by a superb first touch past his man but as the goal gaped invitingly, Day couldn’t get balanced and his effort strayed wide.

The final embers of the game petered out before the referee draw proceedings to a close. Spalding deservedly earned a replay on Tuesday night at the Impact Arena.

The result was the second successive FA Cup tie that had gone to a replay after a nil nil draw in the first game against Walsall last season.

Alfreton will know their will need to be a vast improvement in performance will be needed as the game was devoid of quality or cutting edge
The draw for the next round will be released on social media ar 1pm on Monday afternoon

Attendance: 370

Photo courtesy of Bill Wheatcroft