Alfreton started with a corner conceded by Haran, which turned quickly into a second one that Fisher nodded wide, and it was another twenty minutes before either side mounted an attack. Black had replaced Garvey, injured in a late challenge by Fisher, and he supplied an excellent cross into the box for Price to head just over the bar. Next up was Banim who cleverly made space for himself, but saw his shot cannon off Ellington and go wide. Banim then fed Prince with a good ball, the Celtic winger knocked in an immediate cross through the six-yard box for Ellington at the back post, but the Celtic top-scorer couldn't quite reach it.
Alfreton finished the half with another pair of corners, this time Blunt got his head on the ball, but put it into the side netting.
Celtic looked to be starting the second half more brightly. Banim beat his man and whipped in a great cross for Price, but though he was on target this time, he didn't have the power to beat Smith in the Alfreton nets. Banim tried himself moments later, beating two and putting in a looping angled shot that had Smith flat footed, but whistled narrowly wide. He was wide again, as Celtic continued to press, when Ellington put him through with a good weighted pass, and Banim eager for his first Celtic goal shot wide. After a foul on Black on the half way line, Haran came up for the free kick, nodding it across the six yard box, Ellington tried the acrobatic overhead kick, but put his shot narrowly wide.
Banim then got his first goal for the club, only for it to be disallowed. Price battled to get the ball off Grant and free Banim, but in doing so apparently fouled the Alfreton defender. Banim still managed to round the keeper and slot home before the referee could blow though. Banim was then denied a certain goal and Celtic were denied a certain penalty when Grant got both hands to Banim's powerfully struck shot from outside the area. The referee waved play on, making three obvious penalties that Celtic have been declined in three games. A great cross from Black found the head of Sykes, and he headed perfectly down, the ball almost squirting through Smith's legs, but the Alfreton keeper recovered well to smother.
Godber managed to get a slight sniff of goal when Barnard hesitated at the edge of his box, allowing the prolific goal scorer a chance, but his shot was weak and right at Pettinger.
Neither side could produce anything resembling another clear chance, so the game finished goalless. Celtic possibly shaded the second half, but not by enough to justify a win.
