Ben Heneghan's 88th minute equaliser secured Chester FC a deserved point and denied the Reds what would have been a welcome win in the battle to beat the drop.

Alfreton took the lead in a tight first-half with a stunner in the 22nd minute from Tom Shaw, whose sweet strike from 25 yards gave Jon Worsnop no chance.

Chester improved in the second period and put the hosts under a barrage of pressure, which paid off with two minutes to go as Heneghan headed past Jason Mooney from close range.

Leading into the game, Steve Burr had made it clear he didn't want the season ending with a whimper and would be looking for a reaction from his players from a poor result midweek.

His team's prospects were helped with the unexpected inclusion of Oli McBurnie, who started having managed to arrange a later flight to Austria, where he would link up with Scotland Under-19s.

Gareth Roberts replaced Ibou Touray in the sole change from the defeat to Dartford and Tom Peers was named among the substitutes following his recall from a productive loan spell at Marine.

Alfreton had been mired in the bottom four for most of the season however a four-match unbeaten run, and 400 minutes without conceding, had moved them four points above the relegation places.

Nicky Law named the same team that drew 0-0 with Lincoln City midweek, although included ex-Wrexham forward Jake Speight on the bench following his arrival on loan from Harrogate Town.

Alfreton's approach is to shift the ball upfield as quickly as possible and a long punt almost led to them taking the lead inside a minute but Ben Heneghan cleared Karl Hawley's header off the line.

Ryan Higgins had a shot deflected behind and John Rooney brought a save out of Jason Mooney as the Blues responded in an end-to-end start to the game.

Jon Worsnop denied his former club with an excellent save on six minutes, tipping Lathaniel Rowe-Turner's glancing header over the crossbar.

Things then settled down with the Reds peppering balls forward and looking to turn the visitors around, and the Blues adopting a more direct game than usual with Matty Hughes partnering McBurnie up front.

Chester looked comfortable but fell behind on 22 minutes to an absolute screamer from Shaw. There didn't look to be too much danger when he picked the ball up in midfield but the defence backed off and he rocketed his shot into the top corner.

The hosts grew in confidence from that and twice went close to getting a second, Hawley unable to get the ball under control after Heneghan misjudged his header and Michael Kay making an important last ditch tackle.

Chester hadn't created much but came within a post of levelling on 33 minutes when Rooney brought the ball under control on the edge of box and his left foot shot beat Jason Mooney but not the woodwork.

Alfreton finished the half the stronger with Shaw dispossessing James in a dangerous position but Heneghan blocked his cross, which was heading for the unmarked Hawley.

Sean McConville came on for Brad Abbott at the start of the second period and the Blues had an early chance when Roberts popped up at the back post but his shot was blocked.

Chester had more possession but without posing the Reds too much of a problem, McBurnie going closest with a tame shot that Mooney saved with ease.

Law introduced Speight for John Johnstone and the substitute should have doubled the lead on the hour, seeing his shot rebound off Worsnop's legs when clean through.

Heneghan headed wide from a short corner on 67 minutes but it was difficult for the Blues to break the hardworking hosts down, leading the manager to bring on Peers and Kieran Charnock for Rooney and Roberts.

Higgins fizzed a free kick not far wide from 30 yards moving into the closing stages before McBurnie and James had shots blocked in a scramble.

Alfreton now found themselves pegged back with Hughes not quite catching his shot clean and Heneghan unable to keep his header down from McConville's cross.

Chester had shown good patience and were rewarded with two minutes left on the clock, although the equaliser was not without controversy.

The hosts should have had a free kick for a blatant push but referee Colin Lymer disagreed and the Blues raced down field, McConville swung over a cross and Heneghan rose highest to guide his header past Mooney.

It was a deserved goal on the balance of the second-half and the Blues came closest to nicking a winner when Mooney got down well to push out Higgins strike from 20 yards in the final few seconds.

Chester FC: Worsnop, Higgins, Kay, Heneghan, Roberts (Charnock 74), Rooney (Peers 74), James, Abbott (McConville 46), Mahon, Hughes, McBurnie.

Subs: Viscosi, Hobson.

Goal: Heneghan 88.

Alfreton Town: Mooney, Graham, Howe, Rowe-Turner, Wood, Shaw, Lenighan, Thanoj, Johnston (Speight 55), Ironside, Hawley.

Subs: Courtney, Howell, Leesley, Heaton.

Goal: Shaw 22.

Referee: Colin Lymer (Hampshire).

Attendance: 857.