Vanarama National League: Altrincham 1 Guiseley 1

GUISELEY earned another point towards their safety in a tough encounter at fellow survival battlers Altrincham.

Alty took the lead at Moss Lane but a Rob Atkinson header just before the hour levelled the match.

It was Atkinson’s namesake Dan who did as much as any of the Lions to ensure they got their point, however.

The young keeper was thrown into an important game because regular shot-stopper Steve Drench had succumbed to illness.

He made some fine saves and was not at fault for the home side’s opener minutes before the break.

Lions boss Mark Bower felt it was a fair result, saying: “I thought over the 90 minutes we were the better side, and if we had got that first goal it would have been a different game because we were on top in that first half.

“We had a few chances with the ball bobbling about around their goal and some desperate defending by them.

"Then their lad hits a 'worldy' into the top corner and we go in a goal down.

“I suppose we were a bit fortunate towards the end, with their lad hitting the bar, to get a point out of it but overall it was the least we deserved.

"We won most of our personal battles, and when the conditions allowed we played some good football.

“I was pleased with the performance and it was a great response after Tuesday night.”

Guiseley were wretched in a 3-0 FA Trophy replay defeat to Dover Athletic but made a bright start at Altrincham.

However, Lee Sinnott’s side threatened early when a good ball into the area bounced in front of Dan Atkinson.

The inexperienced keeper did well to parry the ball and Danny Hall completed the clearance.

Another good save followed as Atkinson denied Josh Ginnelly’s curling effort to help him settle.

Guiseley’s Adam Smith was a thorn in the home side’s defence, and a shot from him took a huge deflection and rolled against the post with the Alty keeper, former Bradford Park Avenue No 1 Tim Deasey, beaten.

With the game heading for the break goalless, Altrincham’s Michael Rankine bustled his way past two defenders to reach the edge of the area and he let fly, the ball rocketing into the net.

Deasey pulled off a tremendous save to prevent Nicky Boshell grabbing the equaliser but he was powerless when Rob Atkinson leapt to head home Smith’s cross at the far post.

Dan Atkinson kept his team in it with a superb double save but Alty could and probably should still have won it. Former Guiseley striker Damian Reeves had come on against his old club, and when he squared to Rankine late on in front of a gaping goal, it seemed all over for the visitors but the forward's effort hit the bar.