Altrincham 1

COME the season's end, Robins will be hoping that a missed penalty in the second period in North Wales has not cost them the return to Conference football for which the squad has battled so hard all campaign, writes Mark Harris

With Bernard Taylor's men a goal up from Paul Ellender, but playing onto a strong wind, the scorer was tripped from behind in the Colwyn Bay penalty area.

After the double spot-kick fiasco at Leigh a few weeks ago, and no regular penalty taker on the field, only Paul Robertson was willing to take the responsibility.

He tried to place the kick, and succeeded in sending keeper Richie Roberts the wrong way, but the ball hit the base of the post and trickled agonisingly along the goal-line and out for a goal-kick.

This piece of bad luck was to cost Alty dear. Geed up by their narrow escape, Bay found fresh heart and equalised with in 10 minutes through Colin Caton's close range effort.

And yet, Robins still had sufficient chances to have won the game easily.

Substitute Keith Russell's pace is certainly returning, twice taking him clear of the Welshmen's defence and through with Roberts to beat.

On the first occasion, Russell's aim was just off-target and on the second Roberts made a fine save.

Last season's goal hero needs to hit the net to bring back his confidence, especially as Leroy Chambers hamstring injury looks as though it might rule him out of much of the run-in.

Robins were hit with a double blow even before they arrived at the seaside. Martin McDonald stayed home with flu, whilst Tony Rigby suffered a reaction fro the Hyde game which restricted him to a role on the bench.

Fellow new-boys Gary Talbot and Andy Lovelock both started and looked instantly at home, despite Lovelock playing down the middle alongside Paul Ellender.

Alty's goal ended a sweeping move, which saw Paul Robertson collect a crossfield ball from Phil Power which caught Bay flatfooted.

Robertson, himself a doubtful starter, picked out Hodson, and his chip was hit first time by Ellender, into the corner of the net from 12 yards.

With the wind to their backs, Robins worked the ball forward whenever they could, but could not beat an uncertain Roberts in the Bay gaol.

Lovelock unleashed a terrific shot which clipped the bar, whilst Ricky Harris was a constant thorn in the side, although both of "Bomber's" best efforts were off-target.

In the second period, Robins made little headway in to the wind, until Russell arrived on the scene.

The conditions hardly suited Alty's passing game, and the missed penalty knocked them back.

Nevertheless, the Gods were again smiling on Altrincham as both Gateshead and Worksop dropped points to cushion the blow of a draw.

Robins: Coburn, Hodson, Adams, Timons, Ellender, Robertson, Gallagher, Power (sub Rigby 80), Talbot, Harris (Russell 70), Lovelock. Sub not used Mark Maddox

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.