Altrincham 3 Blackburn Rovers 3 (Alty win 6-5 on penalties.

Altrincham made a winning start to their inaugural National League Cup campaign with a penalty shootout success over Blackburn Rovers u21s at The J.Davidson Stadium.

The home side made a fast start to proceedings, taking the lead after just seven minutes. Matty Kosylo, playing at right back, skipping inside, beat a man on the edge of the box before seeing his shot deflected home past a wrong-footed Jack Barrett in the away goal.

Chances also fell in the opening 20 minutes to Olly Crankshaw, whose interplay with Joe Nuttall ended with a shot over the bar, and Tom Crawford who saw a header flash just wide off a Kosylo centre.

The visitors came about as close as you can to equalising when Zack Stritch twisted and turned in the box before unleashing a shot that crashed off Harvey Randle's bar, then the post, before being cleared to safety.

There then followed another two good efforts; Tom Bloxham had a shot cleared off the line by Joel Bailey and Randle saved well from Aodhan Doherty.

The second half began as the first half ended, and within two minutes the visitors were level through Exauce Mafoumbi.

The game then swung back to the hosts, firstly when Owen German stung the palms of Barrett from range, and then when Crawford swept home from the edge of the box to restore Alty's one goal lead on 55 minutes.

The introduction of numerous substitutes didn't slow the tempo as Blackburn searched for an equaliser, but it was Alty still creating the better chances.

Alex Newby, fresh from the bench, was denied the goal that would have finished off the game, by a superb Barrett save, only for Rovers to level for a second time with 12 minutes remaining through Igor Tyjon.

Penalties looked on the cards, but Lucas Weaver had other ideas. The forward sprinting onto a ball, beating Barrett to it, before lofting a wonderful effort into the net from 30 yards. 

Unfortunately, that wasn't the end of the scoring, as Rovers did force penalties following a Freddie Leatherbarrow leveller towards the end of regulation.

It took plenty of spot kicks to decide the winner, but once Weaver had pinged his penalty away, it was left to Brandon Powell to hit the Alty bar allowing the hosts to claim a bonus point.

Harvey Nichols MOTM Matty Kosylo

Altrincham Randle; E.Jones, Crankshaw (Newby, 66'), Kosylo (c), German (Whittle, 89'), Reddin, Haygarth (Golden, 66'), Crawford, Nuttall (Weaver, 46'), Bailey (Banks, 66'), Teale. Subs not used: Ross, Edwards.

Blackburn Barrett; Houghton, Powell, Atcheson, Olson (c) (Litherland, 71'), Montgomery, Doherty (Bell, 77'), Caddick (Edmondson, 64'), Mafoumbi (Tyjon, 64'), Bloxham (Leatherbarrow, 77'), Stritch. Subs not used: Honor, Vare. 

HT 1-0

Goals Kosylo 7', Crawford 55', Weaver 83' | Mafoumbi 47', Tyjon 78', Leatherbarrow 88'

Penalties Crawford (scored); Edmondson (scored); Banks (scored); Stritch (missed); Newby (scored); Montgomery (scored); E.Jones (scored); Tyjon (scored); Reddin (saved); Litherland (scored); Kosylo (scored); Bell (scored); Weaver (scored); Powell (missed).

Yellows None | None

Reds None | None

Referee Richard Aspinall

Assistants Aaron Hallam & Jordan Brooks

Fourth official Thomas Harty

Attendance 783

Next Up

Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round Qualifying on Saturday - Solihull Moors visit The J.Davidson Stadium for a 3pm kick-off.

Tickets are available to buy here and hospitality can be bought here for a great price of just £35.

*Many thanks to Ben Roberts for snapping tonight's game for us - it's very much appreciated.