Words John Edwards | Pictures Jonathan Moore

Altrincham 1 Solihull Moors 1

Altrincham are in the hat for Emirates FA Cup first round but still have work to do if they are to participate in it after being pegged back by a second-half Solihull Moors equaliser at The J.Davidson Stadium this afternoon.

The Robins should have been relishing the prospect of listening to Monday evening's draw after leading this fourth round qualifying tie through a first-half penalty by Regan Linney.

Instead, they will tune in with distinctly mixed feelings after Solihull hit back with a leveller that means Alty have a job on their hands to remain in the competition, as they prepare for a testing replay in the Midlands 24 hours later.

After an evenly-contested opening 10 minutes, Alty created the first real chance of the game, following a surge into the area by Tylor Golden that earned the Robins a corner.

The ball was eventually worked to Alex Newby by Kahrel Reddin, after a short corner routine, and his cross to the far post looked ideal for Tom Crawford, only for the Alty midfielder to direct his header straight into the arms of Laurie Walker from a great position.

The Robins went in front when a penalty was awarded in the 15th minute that seemed a touch harsh on the visitors, as Justin Amaluzor and James Clarke tussled for possession on the right side of the area.

Both players were left sprawling on the turf from what is often referred to as a coming together, but, to the dismay of the Solihull defender, referee Paul Marsden had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

While Solihull disputed the validity of the spot-kick, there could be no arguments about the way it was dispatched, Linney stepping up and sending Walker the wrong way in emphatic style.

With Solihull struggling to make an impact, Alty strove to press home their advantage and might have doubled their lead in the 28th minute.

Newby crossed from the right, but, after cleverly manoeuvring his marker out of the way, Linney steered his header over the bar from 12 yards out.

With on-loan centre-back Charlie Olson growing in stature on his Alty debut alongside skipper James Jones and Amaluzor and Reddin causing problems on the flanks, the Robins were good value for their slender half-time lead.

The second half started in low-key fashion but suddenly sprang into life with a chance at either end just after the hour-mark.

Sam Bowen looked to be shaping up for what would have been a long overdue first serious attempt at goal for Solihull in the 66th minute, only for Golden to pull off a superb block, just as the ball left the midfielder's boot.

Seconds later, Newby cut in from the right and left fly with a curling left foot shot that whistled narrowly wide of the far post.

Solihull had hardly threatened all afternoon but managed to haul themselves level in the 71st minute when Bradley Stevenson volleyed them back on terms from close range after Alty failed to deal with a ball that bobbled across the face of the six-yard area from a long throw.

The visitors might even have gone ahead in the 78th minute when Conor Wilkinson spurned a great opportunity, shooting weakly enough for Ethan Ross to save with ease.

Ross had more to do a minute later when Stevenson hit a low drive that required an excellent save from the Alty keeper, plunging to his left to turn it away.

Alty thought they had won a second penalty in the 90th minute, when Lewis Banks squared to substitute Olly Crankshaw, who went sprawling over the challenge of Marcel Oakley.

It's difficult to imagine how or why Crankshaw would have dived, given that he had taken the ball beyond Oakley and had the opportunity of a left-foot shot from close range to win the tie for Alty, but that's how referee Marsden saw it.

Ignoring the cries of "penalty" from a packed Golf Road End behind the goal, the official gave a free-kick to Solihull and a yellow card to a disbelieving Crankshaw, and Alty's last chance of settling the outcome at the first time of asking had gone.

Harvey Nichols MOTM Charlie Olson

Altrincham Ross; Banks, Linney (Nuttall, 70'), Newby (Kosylo, 81'), Amaluzor, J.Jones (c), Wilson (Humbles, 81'), Reddin (Crankshaw, 70'), Crawford, Golden, Olson (Baines, 87'). Subs not used: E.Jones, Randle.

Solihull Walker; Clarke (c), Stevens, Bowen, Wilkinson (Ryley, 79'), Oakley, Stevenson, Bostock (Labadie, 87'), Tipton (Osborne, 60'), Tunnicliffe (Whitmore, 75'), Howell (Newton, 64'). Subs not used: Flahavan.

HT 1-0

Goals Linney 15' | Stevenson 71'

Yellows Linney 31', Crankshaw 90' | Howell 7', Oakley 45', Labadie 88'

Reds None | None

Referee Paul Marsden

Assistants Neil Evans & William Vaughan

Fourth official Declan Brown

Attendance 1,611 (128 away)

Next Up

A replay at Solihull Moors on Tuesday evening (kick-off 7:45pm). Full details available in the next 24 hours.

Then it's Gateshead who visit The J.Davidson Stadium for a Vanarama National League clash next Saturday (3pm).

Tickets available online here or you can pay at our cash turnstiles. You can also secure your hospitality spot in The John King Lounge for £65 here - space is very limited so act quickly to avoid disappointment.