ALTRINCHAM 1, HARTLEPOOL UNITED 1
Altrincham put the brake on 10-man Hartlepool United’s seemingly relentless drive to regain the EFL status they lost in 2017.
A terrific run of nine wins and two draws from 13 games had catapulted Pools into a three-way tie at the top of the National League before they arrived at Moss Lane.
But after playing three quarters of the match with a numerical disadvantage after having Lewis Cass sent off, they had to settle for a draw as Sutton United claimed outright top spot following their win against Yeovil.
It was a good point for Altrincham who had lost five of their previous six games to slip from the play-off places to 12th.
After an uneventful opening, the match exploded to life.
The visitors went close when the dangerous Luke Armstrong cut inside and struck the far post.
But they were reduced to 10 men in the 25th minute when right back Cass, 21, on loan from Newcastle United was sent off for a late challenge on Matty Kosylo.
The 10 men displayed resilience to take the lead eight minutes later when Rhys Oates bundled home his sixth goal of the season from almost on the goalline from a low cross by Luke Molyneux.
But in the first of four added minutes, the Robins equalised when Ryan Colclough’s speculative shot from the left of the box eluded goalkeeper Ben Killip appeared to have the ball but allowed it to slip through his grasp.
It was the fourth goal of the season for the former Crewe and Wigan winger who signed after being released by Scunthorpe early in the season.
Altrincham took advantage of their extra man as they bossed the second half as Yusifu Ceesay Ceesay, Yoan Zouma and substitute Tom Peers all had decent chances.
But late on Pools had two great chances to snatch victory.
Molyneux forced a decent save from Tony Thompson and from the resulting corner, a Ryan Johnson header was cleared off the line by Alistair Smith.