Alfreton Town 3-3 Curzon Ashton | English Conference North Division | 25 April 2026

Alfreton Town and Curzon Ashton played out a thrilling 3-3 draw at the Impact Arena in a match that had everything: early goals, a red card, a remarkable fightback, and late drama that kept the play-off race wide open. Fans were treated to a six-goal spectacle that showcased the very best of National League North football.

Match Summary

Curzon Ashton looked to be cruising early in the second half after racing into a 3-1 lead, but Alfreton's ten-man revival in the final quarter of an hour saw them snatch an unlikely point. The result keeps both sides in contention for the top seven with just weeks remaining in the campaign.

First Half Frenzy

The match exploded into life inside the first ten minutes. Alfreton took the lead through a powerful header from a corner, but Curzon struck back almost immediately with a swift counter-attack that ended with a composed finish. The visitors then grabbed a second before half-time following a defensive mix-up, giving them a 2-1 advantage at the break.

Second Half Drama

Curzon appeared to have the game sewn up when they added a third goal shortly after the restart, a superb curling effort from the edge of the box that left the goalkeeper no chance. Things went from bad to worse for Alfreton when they were reduced to ten men after a second booking for a midfielder's mistimed challenge on the hour mark.

Yet the home side refused to surrender. A free-kick whipped into the box found an unmarked defender who powered a header into the net to make it 3-2. Then, in the 89th minute, a desperate scramble from a corner saw the ball forced over the line to complete a stunning comeback. Curzon's players sank to their knees while the Alfreton supporters celebrated as if they had won the league.

Tactical Breakdown

Alfreton's 3-5-2 formation left them vulnerable to Curzon's pace on the break in the first half. After the red card, they switched to a 4-4-1 shape that somehow made them more dangerous on set pieces. Curzon, who had controlled the game with their 4-3-3, became too defensive too early and paid the price. The visitors manager will rue not killing the game off when they had the extra man.

Key Stats

• Alfreton Town: 10 shots (6 on target), 45% possession, 1 red card
• Curzon Ashton: 14 shots (7 on target), 55% possession, 4 yellow cards
• All six goals came from open play except one corner routine

Play-off Implications

The draw keeps Alfreton in the play-off picture, but they will need to convert draws into wins in their remaining fixtures. Curzon will view this as two points dropped, though their position remains strong. The resilience shown by Alfreton's ten men will give them immense belief heading into the decisive run-in.