ALTRINCHAM 1, STOCKPORT COUNTY 1
The Cheshire derby between Altrincham and Stockport County, two National League clubs whose finances are polar opposites, ended in stalemate.
Minnows Alty, part-timers who train two nights each week, looked as though they might pull off a famous victory as they were ahead for almost an hour through a goal from Yusifu Ceesay.
Stockport, full-time with possibly the division’s biggest budget, drew level through an 82nd minute goal from Connor Jennings.
It was a point which keeps Alty seventh in the table and in the play-off positions. They had been as high as third during the game when they were ahead.
And it maintained the Robins’ excellent run of only one loss in eight games in all competitions – the run has yielded six wins.
Stockport, the bookies’ favourites for promotion, will be pleased to have arrested a mini slide after back-to-back defeats against Notts County and Hartlepools United as they climbed to ninth with games in hand on the teams above them.
County were without the suspended John Rooney and Ash Palmer who were sent off in Tuesday’s 4-0 loss at Hartlepool while Richie Bennett lost his place.
The players recalled were Lois Maynard, Jennings and Adam Thomas.
Altrincham were without suspended striker Jake Moult while their side remined depleted through injury.
There was a poignant one minute’s applause before kick off to remember all those connected with the Robins who have died in the last 12 months, including former players George Heslop, Albert Quixall and Jordan Sinnott.
Jennings had the first clear-cut chance of the match shooting narrowly wide following a neat turn.
Altrincham could have taken the lead midway through the half after a break from their own half, but Tom Peers delayed releasing Josh Hancock whose shot flashed past the upright.
They failed to heed the warning as the Robins went ahead in the 25th minute following a near identical break.
This time Matty Kosylo released Ceesay on the left and he burst into the box before slotting a show low past goalkeeper Ben Hinchcliffe.
It was the pacey Gambian forward’s second goal of the season for the Robins who he joined following his release by Blackpool.
Stockport offered little threat, though home keeper Tony Thompson made two decent saves in quick succession to deny Alex Reid and Ryan Croasdale.
Altrincham defended their led resolutely and County only occasionally threatened.
There was a double scare for the hosts with 19 minutes left when Thompson saved well from Maynard and Jennings, following up, had his effort headed off the line by Joel Senior.
Stockport’s pressure was rewarded with an 82nd minute equaliser when Jennings got on the end of Jordan Williams’ corner with a near-post flick past Thompson who was finally beaten. It was only the striker’s second goal of the season.