Late goal foils Hednesford Town's charge

A wonder goal from Kris Taylor had earlier given the home side the lead with just minutes remaining.

On a heavy pitch and in horrible weather conditions, a draw was probably a fair result, although the Pitmen will be kicking themselves for giving up the opportunity on offer.

The opening few minutes were a frantic affair with both sides having chances to take the lead.

First Altrincham's Damian Reeves saw his effort cleared off the line by John Disney, after Dan Crane had made a good save from the frontman, while at the other end Town's Marvin Robinson blazed over when only 12 yards out.

Hednesford were indebted to Crane for keeping the scores level in the 38th minute as he came off his line well to smother the ball when Simon Richman suddenly found himself through one-on-one with the shot-stopper.

Although conditions weren't ideal, both teams tried to play football to the best of their abilities and two minutes before the half-time whistle the home side should have perhaps been ahead.

Following some good football, Disney was played in down the right and his cross found Neil Harvey who should have found the back of the net from just six yards.

Seven minutes into the second period, Taylor showed a glimpse of what would follow when his beautifully struck curling effort just cleared the upright as Hednesford pushed forward in search of that opening goal.

With 15 minutes remaining Altrincham appealed for Paul McCone to be sent off when he hauled back James Walshaw, with the striker seemingly clear on goal, but the defender was only to receive a yellow card despite a free-kick being awarded just a yard outside the box.

Seven minutes later, there was an almighty scramble in the Hednesford box as Clee got to the bye-line and his ball into the box was eventually cleared by Darren Campion for a corner with a host of Altrincham men lurking.

In the 85th minute minute Town grabbed the opening goal of the game. After a corner had been cleared all the way back to Campion on the half-way line, his ball back in found Taylor on the edge of the box and his perfect left-footed strike found the bottom corner of the net.

However, it wasn't to be as Altrincham launched one last attack in the third minute of time added on, and with Town not being able to clear their lines, Shaun Densmore was on hand to drill home from just inside the penalty area.

Hednesford will be disappointed to have not held out in order to move clear at the top of the Skrill North.