ALFRETON Town had to settle for a share of the spoils after a defensive error handed Chesterfield an equaliser they had scarcely looked like threatening.
In a first run out for both sides, it was Nicky Law's team who produced by far the slicker football against their npower League Two neighbours.
New signings Nathan Arnold and Anthony Wilson both showed well in a good all-round showing from Law's side with both Josh Law and Jordan Hall impressing against their former club.
The Reds took a deserved lead on 38 minutes through Liam Hearn and looked in control when a rare defensive gaffe by Kyle McFadzean on 64 minutes gifted the visitors their leveller.
The England C captain didn't get enough power on a header back to Gamble and the prolific Jack Lester punished the error to the full as he pounced on the stray ball to net an eight yard angled drive into the far corner.
There were no signs whatsoever of any play-off final defeat hangover from the Reds and Alfreton pressed Chesterfield back in the opening stages with some superb pass and move football, going close several times.
Trialist Blues keeper Shane Redmond was almost surprised by a powered left flank cross by Chris Shaw and ended up hurriedly punching clear in only the second minute.
Anthony Howell glanced a header just over the angle from an Ian Ross corner on 14 minutes after which Hearn had a low shot well saved by Redmond. 
The first Chesterfield chance fell to Jordan Bowery who was guilty of an awful miss when he was left unmarked and he didn't direct his shot on goal from eight yards.
A second presentable chance fell to Craig Clay minutes later but he blazed yards over.
Alfreton turned the screw in impressive style and Josh Law flashed a shot across goal as the hosts threatened again.
Paddy Gamble did have to produce a smart block on the line by stop Dan Whittaker's clipped close range effort but it was the visiting custodian who was by far the busier.
Redmond pulled off a tremendous save to beat out a Hearn blast on 36 minutes but the Reds hitman finally got the better of the Blues keeper when he clipped the ball over Rob Page, shrugged off the attentions of Dan Gray and ran on to rifle in a shot which Redmond got a hand to but couldn't prevent from crossing the line.
A 25-yarder from Scott Boden dropped just over the top three minutes before the break but the half had definitely belonged to Alfreton.
Numerous changes for both sides at half time brought a less fluent second half in which Chesterfield showed far better.
Alfreton substitute Paul Clayton won a corner in the first minute of the second half before big home shouts for a penalty were ignored by Referee Cook when Clayton appeared to be tripped deep in the area.
Chesterfield finally began to get going and they put together their best spell of the game ten minutes into the second half which culminated in an equaliser, albeit in fortuitous fashion.
The Reds still created plenty themselves though and Chris Hall cut across the edge of the area but saw his low drive well held by substitute keeper Tommy Lee.
There were more changes by the visitors before they were handed an equaliser on 64 minutes as Jack Lester punished McFadzean's moment of carelessness to the full.
Hearn volleyed narrowly over from Hall's left flank cross and as the game opened out, a stray clearance by Chris Shaw fell to Craig Davies but he could only shoot straight at Gamble.
Chris Hall was a whisker away from winning it for Alfreton with an 18-yard curler which beat Lee but just cleared the far angle and Anton Brown scuffed a late chance wide with two mintues left.