Sheron rescues a point for Latics

Latics drew 2-2 against Altrincham at Boundary Park

Latics came away with just the one point following a hard-fought draw against a strong Altrincham team in front of 7,137 fans at Boundary Park.

It is a result which keeps them outside the promotion chasers’ group and 10th in the National League table.

Manager Micky Mellon made three changes from the team beaten 3-0 at Fylde on Tuesday night, with Liam Hogan serving a suspension for his dismissal at Mill Farm, Mark Shelton dropping to the bench and Will Sutton dropped.

Latics should have got off to a dream start after only three minutes when Josh Lundstram found Devarn Green, whose blocked shot came to Hallam Hope, but he blasted over.

There were then a couple of chances for the home side to go ahead, but Altrincham took the lead on 15 minutes when Justin Amaluzor’s deft header following a cross from the left gave 'keeper Matthew Hudson no chance.

Latics equalised on 31 minutes when James Norwood scored his sixth goal of the season after some good work first on the left from Lundstram then Hope, before a clever series of one-twos between Kieron Freeman and Norwood saw the striker‘s shot hammer into the roof of the next.

Four minutes later the Robins took the lead again when referee Aaron Jackson awarded a contentious penalty for a handball against Hope, to the bemusement of the home crowd.

Chris Conn-Clarke, who had provided the assist for their earlier goal, duly despatched the penalty by sending Hudson the wrong way.

Hudson then went on to produce a superb left-handed save in first half stoppage time to keep Latics in the game.

The second half was much more subdued as Latics pressed for an equaliser, but Altrincham provided some resolute defending.

Latics needed something special, and it came after 79 minutes.

Nathan Sheron, who had received a booking 20 minutes earlier earning an automatic suspension for five bookings in the season, fired home a 25-yard screamer from outside the box.

The game petered out to a repeat of the 2-2 scoreline between the two sides at Boundary Park last Easter.

Now Latics must prepare for a tough FA Cup first round tie at League Two side Newport County next Saturday.

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