Runcorn 2, Alfreton Town 2: RUNCORN were relieved yet aggrieved to get a point when it could have been three.
The visitors had restored their advantage in the 79th minute when giant striker Mark Sale, who has served six Football League clubs, fell over his own feet.
From Chris Dolby's flighted free-kick, ex-Barrow centre-back Mark Hulme won the header for Dolby's fellow midfieldman Emeka Nwadike to sweep home.
But the controversy this incident generated was nothing to that which followed as Runcorn chased a second equaliser.
Ged Courtney's shot from keeper Tony McMillan's clearance was blatantly handled by a defender on the line but the ref didn't see it.
The middleman left the field to boos, only slightly softened by Chris Lightfoot's match-saving leveller from an 87th-minute cross by MoM Tom Spearritt.
Right wing-back Spearritt was one of few home players to show any urgency as Alfreton dominated the first half-hour.
They had Sale as their lone striker but found him in the air with metronomic regularity.
Runcorn's plight only worsened when Runcorn's defence allowed Sale too easy a ride onto Chris Bettney's right-wing corner.
The ensuing header was too strong for McMillan, although the keeper got half a hand on it.
Runcorn pulled back on terms in the 36th minute when Hulme paddled away Ged Nolan's long, high free-kick with an arm - a clear offence, even in a crowded box.
Lee Kissock showed good temperament to convert the penalty.
Apart from a short spell midway through, Runcorn went on to boss the second half with Lightfoot twice denied by keeper Lee Butler within five minutes of the restart.
RUNCORN: McMillan, Spearritt, McGinn, Nolan, Ellis (Rendell 81), Ness, Garrity, Morley, Lightfoot, Courtney, Kissock. Subs: Aldridge, Parkinson. Attendance: 187.
