THE Linnets made a small piece of history as they drew their fourth consecutive game at the start of the season for the first time ever.

And skipper Greg Crane also made an unwanted entry into the club's record books by becoming the first Lynn player to be sent off in the Conference North.

Crane was shown a straight red card ten minutes from time after a small melee involving players from both sides.

Linnets boss Keith Webb said: "It was a good point and a good performance from us, especially in the second half.

"Alftreton are a very difficult team to play against. They are very much up and at you but I thought we coped very well."

On Crane's dismissal, Webb said: "To be honest the referee didn't do himself any favours and I thought the reaction of the Alfreton players was a little bit over the top.

"Greg has gone up for a challenge, the ball has bounced loose and he has quite rightly gone for it without any malice. Alfreton could have quite easily had a player sent-off themselves."

Lynn failed to make the most of 12 first-half free-kicks in an even first 45 minutes, which saw both keepers kept busy.

Brian Cushworth was denied by Scott Howie, while at the other end Paul Evans foiled Crane.

But perhaps the pick of the bunch came when a Michael Frew free-kick was superbly saved by Evans to his left.

The hosts took the lead five minutes into the second half when Cushworth outjumped the Linnets defence to head home from a corner.

But Alfreton's lead was short-lived when, four minutes later, Ben Sedgemore crossed from the right and Jack Defty shielded the ball before firing a low shot past Evans, which was helped into the net by the goalkeeper's legs.

Lynn had the better of the remainder of the match with Joe Francis, who had his best game of the season so far, twice being thwarted by Evans in the home goal.

Alfreton Town: Evans, Marples, McFadzean, Ellender, McIntosh, Curtis, Law, Muirhead, Cusworth (Hall 68), Davidson (Bowler 90), Clayton. Unused substitutes: Butler, McCormack, Brown.

Bookings: Ellender, Curtis, Law, Hall.

Lynn: Howie, Charlie Defty, Chapman, Peters, Crane, Camm, Frew (Fisk 90), Sedgemore, Jack Defty, Joachim (Bloomfield 76), Francis (Melton 84). Unused substitutes: Bridgwater, Murray.

Bookings: Camm, Jack Defty; Sent-off: Crane.

Referee: Ryan Newman (Barnsley).

Att: 501.

MoM: Joe Francis.

Stats, Lynn first: shots on target 5, 3; off target 1,5; corners 7, 6; offside 2, 5; free-kicks 11, 21.