Despite their best efforts, Lee Mansell’s Gloucester City failed to break the deadlock once again as they’re held to a draw.
While they continue to put distance between themselves and the drop, Mansell will feel as if his players should have taken more from the game.
Not for the first time at New Meadow Park this season, it appeared the away side were content to play the game out for a draw, while the City players couldn’t be faulted for their efforts.
Speaking to the club, Mansell gave his verdict: “I think one team came out to win it, and one team were happy to come away with a point. They (Alfreton) probably could have come away with three if it wasn’t for our goalkeeper.
“We created good opportunities, good chances, but just couldn’t quite put it in the back of the net.
“I was a little bit disappointed with the first half, we didn’t move the ball around quick enough, I thought especially in the first half we lacked a little bit of impotence to our play.”
Kevin Dawson returned to the starting XI following his suspension and filled in at right-back in absence of Daniel Leadbitter and took no time to readjust in the defence while operating down the right flank in attack.
“He’s been training hard, doing all the runs as physically possible just to get ready for the game.
“He’s been a good support for the lads that have been playing as well, been in and around like a good skipper should,” Mansell commented.
It was a game in which both goalkeepers refused to be beaten with Liam Armstrong earning his first clean sheet of the season, while his opposite number George Willis kept the away side alive.
Due to a calf strain suffered by Jake Cole last week that could see him out for up to two more weeks, Armstrong has been called upon to fill his gloves.
Mansell praised the young keepers quick adjustment into playing regular football saying: “This is why we have a number two that trains hard week in week out.
“I’m very fortunate because I worked with Liam at (Bristol) Rovers for four years, he was part of my under-18s and under-21s so I know what I’m getting with him.
“I’m pleased for him, he made some top saves and he’s got a clean sheet.”
Albeit for a daunting injury list that will make for grim reading for Mansell, he can take pride in the defensive solidity that he has brought to the team. So much so that his current defensive record in the league is superior to any previous Tigers manager for at least 25 years.
Mansell’s selection headache will have worsened following another avoidable suspension after Ben Nugent was shown yellow in the final minute of stoppage time for dissent.
On a positive note, Jack Hill shone bright in defence once again after replacing Dylan Barkers and wasn’t afraid to venture forward in an attempt to break the deadlock in front of an electric crowd, courtesy of the Tigers faithful who were in fine voice all evening.
“He’s a prospect that excites me going forward, we’ll be very careful with how we manage Jack and how we bring him into the fold, but he’s played three games now and in all three games for me he’s been really good,” said Mansell.
The gaffer also praised the home support: “That was how it used to be. That was brilliant, from the get-go there wasn’t a dull moment or period in the game.
“I just wished we had put a ripple in the back of the net to give them what they deserved because I thought they were brilliant.”