Trafford Sport
Altrincham 2 Hinckley United 2
12:37pm Wednesday 22nd February 2012
JUST six weeks ago, Altrincham had decisively beaten nineteenth-placed Hinckley at their own ground, 4-1.
But, for the second successive home game, Altrincham were to be tested at Moss Lane by a team from the wrong end of the division.
Before kick-off Altrincham lost winger Nicky Clee, as his partner is expecting a baby, and combative midfielder Chris Lynch, who had suffered conncussion in Saturday's narrow win over bottom club Blyth Spartans.
And they were also to lose Kieran Walmsley, their right-back and dead ball specialist, after just 22 minutes of this game, through injury.
But before that, Altrincham had conceded an early goal to Sam Belcher, from the penalty spot. The penalty arose when former Manchester United left-back Mark Lynch fouled the impressive Andre Gray in the eighth minute.
But "Route One" gave Alty a quick equaliser when Damian Reeves latched onto goalkeeper Joe Collister's long kick, to head the ball over the stranded Hinckley keeper, Dan Haystead, just four minutes later.
Late in the second half the on-loan Jack Redshaw, watched by his new bosses, the Morecambe management team, enjoyed a purple spell for Altrincham as he made life hell for defender Haydn Hollis. The lively striker got free of the centre-back's shackles three times in as many minutes but it was only on the last occasion that he was able to convert the chance into a goal, in the 42nd minute.
So, with a half-time lead, it looked promising for Altrincham as they pushed for a play-off place in the second half. But a sloppy period of play culminated in goalkeeper Colister conceding his side's second penalty of the night. Once again, Belcher beat Alty's keeper emphatically from the spot, making it 2-2 with just over 20 minutes of the game remaining.
Alty had a good shout for a penalty themselves, when John Miles, the former Stockport County player making his first start for Altrincham, went down in the box - only to find himself booked for alleged simulation. The Robins did raise their game in the closing stages but were unable to find a way through the visitors' defence. And it was the Knitters who went home the happier of the two sides as they edged a little further away from the bottom three relegation places with this deserved draw.
Altrincham meet another struggling side, Bishop's Stortford, away, this Saturday.
ALTRINCHAM : Colister; Walmsley (Lees 22), M Flynn, Broomes, M Lynch; Richman (Holden 46), Densmore (capt), Miles, Lawrie (Twiss 73); Reeves, Redshaw. Unused subs: Reid, A. Flynn.