Altrincham 1 Darlington 1

Hulme 65, Campbell 90

Attendance 994

A stoppage time free kick by Adam Campbell grabbed a deserved point for Quakers at a hot J Davidson Stadium this afternoon.

Quakers were frustrated on a hot day by the Altrincham defence, which played with ten men for more than half the game after Tom Hannigan was sent off for a foul on Jarrett Rivers. 

And then the home side played with nine men for stoppage time when keeper Steven Drench was stretchered off, and outfield player Johnny Johnston went in goal.

In really warm conditions, Quakers got a free kick on 6 minutes that Jarrett Rivers swung over from the right for Stephen Thompson to put in a header that Steven Drench saved.

Quakers went close on 20 minutes. Rivers beat a defender on the right and got to the bye line and crossed to the far post where the ball was nodded away as far as Thompson, who turned and curled a right foot shot that went just over the top.

On 36 minutes, Rivers was brought down by Hannigan after he seized on a poor pass, and both players needed treatment. Hannigan needed lengthy treatment and was sent off while he was on a stretcher. Alty responded by subbing Hemmings for Branson.

After a 5 minute delay, Rivers' free kick was fisted away by Drench, then Bascome stepped forward and fired just wide.

But Alty nearly broke through when Hulme tried to force his way into the box, and the ball ran loose for Johnston to hit just wide.

Quakers replied with a good run by O’Neill that saw him get past two men but Drench smothered his shot.

Half time 0-0

Alty made it difficult for Quakers to break them down, but the visitors nearly managed on 48 minutes when thompson got to the bye line and pulled the ball back into the six yard box, but a defender cleared as far as Hatfield, whose shot was deflected wide.

Thompson then found O’Neill who turned quickly and forced Drench into a point blank save.

But Alty took the lead on 65 minutes when a corner came in from the left for Hulme to head past Elliott from six yards.

In response, Rivers got round the back and set up O’Neill whose shot was blocked, and Campbell put the follow up wide.

Sub Justin Donawa nearly levelled when he picked the ball up on the left, cut in, and hit a right foot shot that Drench fisted away low to his right.

Altrincham had their keeper Drench stretchered off with two minutes left, leaving them with nine men. Outfield player John Johnston went in goal for them.

Quakers levelled three minutes into stoppage time. Donawa was fouled out on the left, and Campbell curled the free kick over everyone into the top corner.

Final score Altrincham 1 Darlington 1

Team: Elliott, Atkinson (sub Holness 65), Watson, Bascome (sub Heaton 84), Laing, Galbraith, Rivers, Hatfield, Campbell, Thompson (sub Donawa 72), O’Neill

Subs: Bell, Wheatley

Bookings: Laing 18 foul Watson 25 foul, Bascome foul 45

Altrincham: Drench, White, Hampson, Jones, Hannigan, Williams, Johnston, Richman, Hulme (sub Peers 65), Harrop (sub Branson 68), Hemmings (sub Mullarkey 38)

Subs: Walters, Densmore,

Sent off: Hannigan 35