Words John Edwards | Pictures Jonathan Moore

Altrincham 2 Gateshead 2

Alex Newby ensured justice was done with an 86th-minute equaliser as Altrincham fought out a thoroughly entertaining draw with Gateshead at The J.Davidson Stadium this afternoon.

This was a meeting of two of the footballing purists of the Vanarama National League, and there was nothing to separate them, as first Alty went ahead and then Gateshead turned the tables before Newby made it honours even with his late leveller.

Tom Crawford gave Alty their early advantage with a coolly-taken penalty in the 20th minute, but the visitors were in the ascendancy after scoring through Jacob Butterfield and Owen Oseni before half-time.

Back came the Robins, and a valuable point was duly secured when Newby lashed the ball into the roof of the net from close range after his initial effort was blocked on the line.

It was no more than Phil Parkinson's side deserved after playing their part in a lively encounter, with Liam Humbles an energetic and effective presence at the heart of midfield and Kahrel Reddin frequently unsettling the Gateshead defence for an hour or so on the right flank

On a sunny, unseasonably warm afternoon, Alty carved out the first real shooting opportunity in the fifth minute after great work on the right by Reddin.

Alty's summer signing is clearly relishing his recent run in the starting line-up, and his eagerness to take on defenders almost led to an opening goal for the Robins.

The lively winger jinked his way past two challenges before rolling the ball back towards Humbles, who was not far away with a low drive that flashed just the wrong side of the left-hand post.

Every time Reddin was in possession in the early stages, it spelled trouble for Gateshead, but it was a move on the opposite flank that led to Alty going in front.

Newby fed Eddy Jones on the left, and when the full-back whipped in a cross, it struck a defender's arm. The ball was subsequently bundled over the line, but the referee had already pointed to the spot for a 20th-minute penalty that was dispatched with aplomb by Crawford, who sent the keeper the wrong way.

A brilliant move four minutes later dazzled an already sunlit stadium, as Newby played a quite exceptional one-two with Jake Bickerstaff before sweeping the ball out to Reddin, in space on the right and advancing towards the area.

It was Alty at their free-flowing best, but the finish it so richly deserved didn't quite materialise, as Reddin's low drive deflected off a defender and spun wide of the post.

Gateshead may well have been keen to impress newly-appointed manager Carl Magnay but had created nothing in the opening half-hour, only for that to change in unforeseen circumstances in the 32nd minute.

The ball was played in from the right towards Butterfield, who took one step to his left before firing a low shot from 20 yards that beat the diving Ethan Ross at his near post.

Ross thumped the turf in frustration, but it was a fine strike by a player with an impressive Football League pedigree that includes around 250 appearances for the likes of Barnsley, Middlesbrough, Huddersfield Town and Derby County.

The vastly-experienced midfielder was an integral figure again as Gateshead, clearly buoyed by their equaliser, went in front in the 40th minute.

After some slick footwork by Butterfield in the tightest of spaces on the edge of the area, the ball was played through to Oseni, who shot past the advancing Ross from the left of the six-yard area to make it 2-1.

Alty needed a response, and they showed plenty of intent at the start of the second half, with Reddin again to the fore.

Pacey and direct, Reddin ran at his marker before teeing up Humbles, who relayed the ball along the edge of the area to George Wilson for a shooting opportunity that was blazed over by the Alty midfielder.

A better touch by Oseni might have left the Robins facing a two-goal deficit soon after, the striker failing to control a right-wing cross with the goal at his mercy.

When Oseni went close again from point-blank range in the 52nd minute, it served as a reminder for Alty that while they had to keep pushing forward in search of an equaliser, they could ill-afford any loss of concentration at the back.

As the hour-mark approached, Alty stepped up their quest for a leveller, as Reddin set up Humbles for a shooting opportunity that he lifted over the bar.

Another chance came and went in the 75th minute when substitute Justin Amaluzor slipped a pass to Reddin on the right of the six-yard box, only for Gateshead keeper Tiernan Brooks to deny him with a sprawling block.

The clock was running down, but there would surely be one more chance, wouldn't there? There would, and it proved a point-saver for Alty, as Newby netted with four minutes left.

A low, driven cross from the right by Amaluzor was picked up beyond the far post by Eddy Jones, who chipped it back into the middle, where Newby hammered it home at the second attempt to spark an eruption of noise from the terraces behind Gateshead's net.

A winner for either side remained elusive, but Alty must be pleased, not to mention relieved, to have finished with something to show for their endeavour and creativity, particularly after that same level of application went unrewarded in the Emirates FA Cup just a few days earlier.

Harvey Nichols MOTM Alex Newby

Altrincham Ross; E.Jones, Baines (c), Newby (Banks, 90'+1), Humbles, Wilson (Amaluzor, 71'), Reddin (Nuttall, 81'), Crawford, Golden, Bickerstaff (Linney, 67'), Olson. Subs not used: J.Jones, Haygarth, Randle.

Gateshead Brooks; Haunstrup, Butterfield (Worman, 70'), Booty (c), Oseni (Beck, 90'+8), Whelan, Radcliffe, Hannant, Newton (Adom, 81'), Colkett (Malcolm, 70'), D.Jones. Subs not used: Belehouan, Home, Basey.

HT 1-2

Goals Crawford 20', Newby 86' | Butterfield 32', Oseni 40'

Yellows Wilson 21', Golden 24', Linney 79' | D.Jones 25'

Reds None | None

Referee Steven Copeland

Assistants Drew Dutton & Stephen Rushworth

Fourth official Jonathan Chadwick

Attendance 1,881 (166 away)

Next Up

Hartlepool United are the next visitors to The J.Davidson Stadium in the Vanarama National League - Wednesday at 7:45pm live on DAZN.

Tickets available online here or you can pay at our cash turnstiles. Hospitality is completely sold out.