HARRIERS were made to do with a point on the opening day of the season as they and Alfreton Town played out an entertaining 3-3 draw.

It was a fairly restless game that swung from one end to another - Dan Bradley's screamer cancelled out by a Tom Platt header in the first half before Tom Denton put the home side in front. Goals from Kane Richards and Joe Ironside then restored the visitors' advantage only for a late Johnson penalty to ensure the hosts got themselves a share of the spoils.

Bradley's goal, midway through the half, was arguably the first serious, clear cut chance either side had fashioned - though through Tom Denton and Ashley Chambers respectively, both teams had seen sights of goal come and go with headed efforts. The opener, when it came, flew into the far corner as Bradley stuck audaciously on the half-volley from a throw in.

Just six minutes later Chambers almost followed suit - his dipping effort from a corner, delivered by Weeks, had the goalkeeper in a world of trouble, only for the ball to clatter the upright. Alfreton would take advantage of the let off, netting from their first corner of the day as Platt stole  a march to flick a header beyond Hall.

Denton's header at the far post had sent Alfreton in at the break a goal up against the run of play, but sub Kane Richards soon made amends after the restart - netting just two minutes into his Harriers career by side-footing home Sam Austin's cross.

Five minutes later Johnson supplied Richards who curled narrowly off target when searching for quickfire second, Lane then sweeping just wide with a volley up at the other end.

On 67 minutes Ironside struck, turning on a sixpence inside the area with the ball at his feet before poking it home to the delight of the Harriers fans. Neil MacFarlane's men then assumed control of the game and almost made it 4-2 when Ironside nodded wide a Bradley cross.

Almost at the death, though, Alfreton ensured their efforts on the day got some reward; Wilde upended in the area by Daniels on 85 minutes, Johnson stepping up and hitting the penalty and finding the net - despite Hall getting a strong hand to it.