Furlong’s goal brings a point

Mar 25 2009 by Our Correspondent, Birkenhead News

VAUXHALL MOTORS 1

ALFRETON TOWN 1

VAUXHALLS stretched their unbeaten run to four games with a hard fought point at the Motassist Arena.

It was the home side’s first decent chance of the game which resulted in them taking a 1-0 lead. On 22 minutes Tom Hannigan made a good run down the right wing and sent in a low cross to Lee Furlong in acres of space. Furlong found himself one on one with the keeper and calmly slid the ball past Steve Dickinson for his fourth goal of the season for the Motormen since returning to the club last month.

Alfreton nearly equalised on 30 minutes when Liam Hearn hit a fierce right foot shot but only managed to hit the side netting from eight yards out.

Just before the interval, the away side’s pressure paid off. On 45 minutes, Alfreton winger Anthony Howell weaved his way into the Vauxhall penalty box from the right and somehow found space to squeeze a shot into the bottom right hand corner from 10 yards out beyond the outstretched Coates to make it 1-1 at half-time.

The second half failed to live up to the entertaining first 45 minutes however Alfreton had the better of the half with a couple of decent chances. Firstly on 80 minutes it was Howell again causing problems for the Vauxhall defence but this time his shot from six yards out was well saved by the legs of Coates.

On 84 minutes, Alfreton were awarded a free-kick just outside the area following a foul by Vauxhall defender Jordan Holmes. The free-kick was taken by sub Ian Ross who got his effort on target but Coates pulled off another fine save.