FA Cup: Non-league Alfreton earn replay against higher-ranked Walsall

1. Use the icon at the top of the page to watch live coverage or listen to BBC Radio Derby commentary
2. National League North side Alfreton earn replay against League Two Walsall in FA Cup second round
3. Walsall goal directly from a corner ruled out for foul on goalkeeper early on
4. Initial tie was postponed six minutes before kick-off on Saturday because of a frozen pitch
5. Alfreton beat Worthing in round one, Walsall won 4-1 at Sheppey
6. Winners will travel to Championship side Southampton in round three

Goodnight

The cup magic just alluded us this evening but it was still an entertaining tie with National League North side Alfreton holding their League Two opponents Walsall, and giving them a few scares along the way.

They'll do it all again next week, with the victor continuing their FA Cup run into 2024.

But that's all from us tonight.

Thanks very much for joining us.

'A good cup endeavour full of passion'

Martin Keown

Former England defender on BBC Sport

You couldn't tell who was the National League team and who was the football league team here tonight.

Alfreton battled away they just couldn't find the difference in front of goal.

There was nothing between the two teams tonight.

It was a good cup endeavour full of passion, it just didn't have a goal to go with the action.

So Alfreton's dream of reaching the third round for the first time is still alive.

The sides will return to the side of the M5 to find a winner.

Up for grabs is a trip to Southampton in round three.

'Alfreton live to fight another day'

Darren Robinson

BBC Radio Derby summariser & ex-Derby coach

What a fantastic advert for the FA Cup, don't let anybody tell you the cup has lost its magic.

Alfreton worked so hard for a part-time non-league side. They did themselves more than credit for the local community and the National League North.

Also, give a degree of credit to Walsall, it was very difficult for them to come here this evening.

We go again, Alfreton live to fight another day.

The game dropped off a little after a very lively opening 45 minutes.

Walsall controlled much of the half but couldn't create anything, with Alfreton defending bravely in numbers.

Eventually the home side managed to get forward and create a few moments of their own from Adam Lund's long throws.

But Walsall stood firm under the high bombs.

Ultimately, both sides lacked quality in the final third and Alfreton will be very pleased to be rewarded with a replay.

FULL-TIME

But the throw comes to nought and that's that.

A tensely-fought cup tie but neither side could find a breakthrough.

They will have it do it all again back in the West Midlands.

Alfreton win a late throw. One last bomb coming up.

Harry Perritt with a nice turn and drive into the Walsall half.

Donveron Daniels hauls him down and is booked.

Free kick to Alfreton 25 yards from goal. Central position.

Lewis Salmon lining up a shot but straight at the wall.

'Wouldn't want to lose it now'

Martin Keown

Former England defender on BBC Sport

It's been a really tough contest, neither team holding back.

You certainly wouldn't want to lose it now at this late stage.

Two divisions between these sides but still nothing on the board.

Three minutes added on.

Alfreton win a free kick 30 yards from the Walsall goal wide on the right.

Nathan Newall swings it over and it falls for Billy Fewster on the right side of the area.

He tries to turn and shoot but fires it high and wide.

YELLOW CARDS

A ball slipped behind the Alfreton defence can't find Tom Knowles running in from the right.

Knowles and Nathan Newall then get into some silliness as the ball rolls out for a goal kick and both are booked.

The first cautions of the night.

Getty Images

Alfreton win another throw, launched into the near post.

Walsall's Donervon Daniels with the header away and out for a corner.

It's a low delivery towards the near post but there's no-one on the end of it for the hosts.

Into the final 10 minutes now in Derbyshire.

Can someone find a winner?

SUBSTITUTION

The away side make their first change of the night.

Ross Tierney makes way for Jack Earing, who has been out since January.

Getty Images

Walsall being pressed at the back and they give away another throw on the right.

The crowd rise.

This time Walsall can't clear properly and it almost falls for Jake Day to thrash at goal but it's nicked away from him.

Then a cross from the right to the far post and it finds Harry Perritt to shoot but beaten away by Jackson Smith for Walsall.

Some real pressure now from the home side.

'You'd expect better from a League Two team'

Martin Keown

Former England defender on BBC Sport

Walsall need to be a bit more creative and have more imagination.

They break down far too easily.

Their passing needs to be better, you'd expect better from a League Two team.

The home side just getting back into it as we enter the final 20 in Derbyshire.

Three long throws in quick sucession from the right-hand side but all of them are dealt with by Walsall.

It's looking very much like one goal will nick this tie now.

And there's real hope for the National League North side that it will be them.

Corner to Walsall, taken short, the ball over is cleared.

Then the visitors work it nicely back into the area and it falls for centre-half Priestley Farquharson who throws a right boot at the ball but can only slam it wide of the left-hand post.

SUBSTITUTIONS

Isaac Hutchinson releases left-back Liam Gordon up the touchline for Walsall.

He tries to dance down the dead ball line and his cross his blocked for a corner.

Nothing comes of the set piece but Walsall are now dominating possesion and Alfreton are struggling to get out of their own half.

The home side throw on fresh legs in Lewis Salmon and Jake Day, the former boxer.

Alfreton give the ball away cheaply on the right and a Walsall cross is blocked away for a corner.

The set-piece is then swung towards the near post but is headed away from danger.