Alfreton Town 1, King's Lynn 1: King's Lynn, going into this afternoon's Conference North game at The Walks with Hinckley United (3pm), are still looking for their first victory of the season after a battling showing brought them another point at Alfreton Town on Saturday.

Alfreton Town 1, King's Lynn 1

King's Lynn, going into this afternoon's Conference North game at The Walks with Hinckley United (3pm), are still looking for their first victory of the season after a battling showing brought them another point at Alfreton Town on Saturday.

The Linnets trailed briefly to a glanced Brian Cusworth effort, before Jack Defty bulldozed his way through the Reds' defence to square things up.

After that, the visitors enjoyed their best spell of the game, but their chances of victory were scuppered when captain Greg Crane was given a straight red card by referee Ryan Newman, which capped an indifferent display by the Barnsley-based official.

Crane will be available for selection this afternoon as his suspension does not begin until early September. Boss Keith Webb may also be able to call upon the services of fellow defender Simon Weaver, who missed out at the Impact Arena due to the head injury he collected against Droylsden.

Webb, pictured, was pleased with his team's showing, but less so with referee Newman.

“I have several thoughts on his performance, but I think that it's best if I keep them to myself, as I will probably find myself in a lot of trouble. We have come here today and done and decent job against a side who had something to prove to their boss after a poor display.

“When you come away, there will be spells where you are under the cosh and have to defend.”

Cusworth tested Scott Howie early on as the bustling Reds' forward took advantage of Ben Chapman's misplaced header.

The busy Ben Muirhead sent in a rasping 25-yard drive, which Howie was pleased to see pass his post as the Reds settled the quicker.

Manager's son, Josh Law, tried his luck from range, with his effort fortunately dipping too late to cause major concern.

A rash of bookings followed, with Jack Defty seeing the first yellow of the afternoon for a foul on home skipper Tom Curtis.

Curtis duly followed him as he entered Mr Newman's book as he came back to the field of play without permission, and Law received the third caution in five minutes for a handball offence, which allowed Michael Frew a 20-yard free-kick which was turned away by a fully-stretched Tom Evans for a corner.

Alfreton scored with their first chance of the second spell. Cusworth rose majestically to glide his header past Howie from eight yards, following Kyle McFadzean's centre. The Linnets responded in a positive manner with Joe Francis forcing Evans into a diving save.

Evans was helpless minutes later however as Ben Sedgemore's high dink into the area was collected neatly by Jack Defty, who spun on a sixpence to fire in from the tightest of angles under Evans's body.

The major talking point of the game arrived with eight minutes remaining. Jack Defty drew a foul from former Lynn target Paul Ellender, who was booked.

The resulting free-kick saw Evans spill the ball, which resulted in a ruck. Crane was shown a red card, but amazingly Ellender, who appeared to raise his arms to Crane, remained unpunished.

t Alfreton Town: Evans, Marples, McFadzean, Ellender, McIntosh, Curtis (captain), Law, Muirhead, Cusworth (Hall, 68 minutes), Davidson (Bowler, 90 minutes), Clayton. Unused substitutes: Butler, McCormack, Brown.

Bookings: Ellender, Curtis, Law, Hall

t King's Lynn: Howie, Charlie Defty, Chapman, Peters, Crane, Camm, Frew (Fisk, 90 minutes), Sedgemore, Jack Defty, Joachim (Bloomfield, 76 minutes), Francis (Melton, 84 minutes).Unused substitutes: Bridgwater, Murray.

Bookings: Camm, Jack Defty

Sent off: Crane

t Referee: Ryan Newman (Barnsley)

t Attendance: 501