Harvey Grice's superb volley eight minutes from time salvaged the Reds FA Trophy ambitions as we fought to a 1-1 draw at Croft Park, earning a replay with Blyth Spartans at the Impact on Tuesday night.

Second half substitute Grice reacted instinctively to a punch away by the Spartans keeper, to volley in an effort sending the travelling Reds wild as we earned a draw and remained in the hat for the first round of the FA Trophy.

The hosts started strongly with Callum Roberts causing early issues, good defending from Dom Smith denied any immediate efforts. Ryan Qualter showed good strength to concede a corner which Roberts saw his effort blocked.

Then the Reds thought they opened the scoring with eight gone, Conor Branson found Amari Morgan-Smith whose cross found Dec Bacon who finished past the goalkeeper, but the offside flag was raised.

The contest became end to end with Alfreton growing into the game as the first half progressed, the Spartans goalkeeper did well to claim the ball from several Reds corners before Roberts then hit a free kick just wide of the post.

Amari had a shot blocked from Danny Clarke's flick on before the hosts took the lead on 27 minutes, a short free kick was partially cleared by the Reds and the ball fell to Sweet who cut inside and finished low into the near corner past Jack Atkinson.

We aimed to respond as Branson hit a free kick into the wall, Blyth broke at pace but we again nullified the danger to concede another corner. The first half action soon became minimum with several fouls breaking up play, but just before the interval we were very lucky to not be 2-0 down when Roberts ran at us before the ball found it's way to Dale who hit a curling shot which struck the base of the post.

The second half we started far better and arguably should have equalised with 49 gone, Josh Thacker's first time cross was so close to a connection by Amari at the far post. Roberts had another effort blocked before the Spartans missed a big chance on on 62 minutes as Dale blazed over the bar from close range after Hunter's cross.

Clarke fired high and wide for us after successive corners, Amari headed wide from another Thacker cross. The game seemed to be edging away from the Reds as Blyth wasted a few good openings as we continued to defend well, we had good periods on the ball but we were still looking for the elusive chance.

And the chance came on 82 minutes when Qualter's long ball towards Amari was met by the Spartans goalkeeper, the ball went as far as Harvey Grice who volleyed into the corner with a stunning instinctive finish.

That proved the last of the action as we grabbed a draw and thus a replay at the Impact Arena on Tuesday night in what was a positive result for the Reds as we look to finish the job on Tuesday and seal a spot in the first round of the FA Trophy.

ATFCXI: Atkinson, Clackstone, Thacker, Clarke, Smith, Qualter, Killock, Branson, Bacon (Blake 65), Morgan-Smith, East (Grice 45).

Subs not used: Andrew, Bennett, Hinchley.

Attendance: 526