Emley's mini-revival of three NPL Premier Division games without defeat came to an end after a 2-1 loss at Alfreton Town, but there were plenty of positives for the Pewits to take, not least a first goal for development player Nathan Stephenson.

Alfreton were by far the better side in the first half, but luckily for Emley, they failed to take any of the numerous chances that they created, writes Martin Eastwood.

At times, it was almost like attack v defence with that defence eventually winning out. An Alex O'Connor shot from range following a corner was about all the Pewits could muster in the first half.

It was a somewhat unfamiliar line up for Emley with Joe Stacey and Coban Bird leaving the club and both centre-backs Jack Cowgill and Charlie Barks as well as Rinor Ejupi missing. There was a debut for Luke Matykiewicz while Ellis Farrar returned to the starting line-up.

Joe Stacey who has been one of Emley AFC's most consistent performers in the last two seasons, has left the club. Picture: Emley AFC

placeholder image — Joe Stacey who has been one of Emley AFC's most consistent performers in the last two seasons, has left the club. Picture: Emley AFC

The Alfreton front three of Odunaiya, Fyfe and Ligendza caused real problems all afternoon and created chance after chance, but wasted them.

Visiting keeper Ben Bottomley also did his best to defy the Town attackers with a string of saves.

Ross Hardaker came on for Jacob Hanson on the left at the start of the second half and his calm, assured, experienced head helped the Pewits to a better second half performance, but Alfreton started where they left off by firing a swerving shot straight at Bottomley.

Emley looked to have created a good chance for themselves when good work by Lewis Gould found De Girolamo inside the box but the ball would not sit right and he could not get a shot away. A good bullocking run by captain Gabby Johnson ended with the Reds defence crowding him out and clearing.

Alfreton then turned the screw, putting Emley under immense pressure which eventually led to the opening goal.

They cleared one effort off the line and Bottomley made another good stop to deny the Reds. But the inevitable goal came when a touch from Williams saw the ball loop into the air and the keeper seemed to lose his bearings as he was unable to tip it over.

It was a cruel blow to Emley who had stood firm all game and they were to concede again five minutes later when a good ball saw Ligendza ghost into the area. His initial shot hit the post, but the ball bounced straight back to him and he buried the second attempt.

Just before the goal there was another change for Emley with Stephenson coming off the bench for only his second league appearance for the club. He was to make a quick impact as the visitors’ luck changed.

There looked to be a foul in the build-up, but that did not worry Stephenson who ran through and drilled a low shot past Reds keeper Roberts to give the travelling fans something to cheer at last and claim his first ever senior Emley goal following a prolific spell in the development league.

The Pewits now had the hosts on the run and pushed for an equaliser, particularly after the referee sent-off Alfreton's Odunaiya for a dangerously high boot.

A good period of pressure saw Gould almost get on the end of a fine ball in and in six minutes of added time the visitors forced the issue without reward, Niall Heaton coming closest with a header.

Emley now have three successive home league games as they look to get straight back to winning ways, beginning against bottom side Bamber Bridge on Tuesday. They face Whitby Town on Saturday.