Words Harry Stratton | Picture Alan Jenkinson

Altrincham 1 Forest Green Rovers 1

Alty remain in the Vanarama National League play-off positions despite Joe Nuttall’s early strike being cancelled out by a late Forest Green equaliser on a crisp January afternoon at The J.Davidson Stadium.

Chances were few and far between for both sides for the majority of this match. Nuttall was rewarded for his tenacious pressing early on as he nicked the ball from the Rovers' defender, but Olly Crankshaw was unable to find anybody in the box.

Just minutes later, Alex Newby found some space in the middle of the park and produced a wonderful ball to Nuttall’s feet; the centre forward displayed great composure and struck the ball on the half-volley into the bottom corner. A brilliant finish and Alty found themselves 1-0 up against the league leaders inside 11 minutes.

It was Tom Knowles who had the first chance of note for the visitors, shooting into the side netting after the ball dropped to him in the box

The rest of the half was mostly uneventful, with Elliot Osborne seeing a long range strike fly just over the bar and Regan Linney driving into the box but shooting wide. 

The second half followed mainly the storyline of the first. Newby forced Jed Ward into a good save from a free-kick on the edge of the box. Nuttall managed to head the ball down from a corner, but nobody was in the position to tap it home. 

Forest Green’s danger man Kyle McAllister had some space on the edge of the Alty penalty area, but he sliced his shot wide and high. 

One minute later, with just under 60 played, the ball fell to Linney inside the Rovers box. He produced a lovely curling effort that looked destined for the top corner, only for it to strike the post. 

For the final 30 minutes, there were hardly any chances for either side. Forest Green dominated the possession whilst Alty mostly sat back and absorbed anything that came their way. Ethan Ross produced a couple of saves and it seemed as though the Robins were going to hold out to earn all three points. 

However, in the fourth minute of additional time, a goalmouth scramble resulted in substitute Christian Doidge poking home an equaliser for the visitors. Heartbreak for Altrincham who deserved more than a point for their efforts.

Harvey Nichols Man Of The Match Lewis Baines

Altrincham Ross; Banks, Baines (c), Osborne, Crankshaw (Weaver, 66') Linney (Cooper, 84'), Newby (Kosylo, 84'), Crawford, Golden, Nuttall (Bickerstaff, 90'), Olson. Subs not used: German, Randle, Pasiek.

Forest Green Ward; Long (Garrick, 70'), Inniss (c), Osadebe (Tozer, 90'+1), McAllister, Sercombe, Knowles (Quigley, 70'), Robson, May, Cardwell (Doidge, 70'), Harries. Subs not used: Bunker, Searle, McCormick.

HT 1-0

Goals Nuttall 11' | Doidge 90'+4

Yellows Crankshaw 61', Golden 74', Osborne 76' | Osadebe 7', May 32', Doidge 90'+5

Reds None | None

Referee Stuart Morland

Assistant Curtis Wood & Mark Bates

Fourth official Gareth Thomas

Attendance 2,089 (206 away)

Next Up

It's FREE tickets for everyone on Tuesday night as we take on Wolves U21s in the National League Cup (kick-off 7:30pm) - sponsored by McAuliffe Group.

We then turn our attentions to the Isuzu FA Trophy next Saturday and the visit of Eastleigh to The J.Davidson Stadium in round five. Tickets on sale here for that one.