ALTRINCHAM FC had to settle for a share of the spoils after conceding a late goal against Eastleigh.

The visitors started the better and applied early pressure on the Altrincham goal.

But the below-strength Robins gradually grew into the contest, despite the injury enforced absences of Stuart Coburn, Nicky Clee, Simon Richman and Tom Marshall and the unexpected retirement of Anthony Griffith.

One bit of good news was the return on the bench of another injury victim, Josh O'Keefe.

It was Alty who took the lead with an excellent goal. Left-back Adam Griffin won the ball well inside his own half.

He fed James Lawrie and the Northern Ireland international advanced upfield before planting a well-struck 20 yarder past goalkeeper Noice, with 29 minutes on the clock.

The Spitfires continued to be a danger going forward but Altrincham, too, were creating half chances in a fairly entertaining first half.

However, the second half was to prove much poorer fare for the disappointing crowd, whose numbers were adversely affected both by the bizarre scheduling of a midweek fixture between clubs more than 200 miles apart and by live coverage of Manchester City and United's Champions' League matches on television.

Early in the second half, the game became petulant and referee Holmes produced five cards in an eight-minute spell as the game stuttered from freekick to freekick.

Gradually it settled down again and Altrincham looked to be heading towards a hard earned victory against their ambitious and well-funded opponents.

But the late introduction of two forwards allowed the Visitors to pile the pressure on Altrincham.

After a sequence of three successive corners, one of the Eastleigh substitutes, Yemi Odubade, drove home a shot from right of goal to level the contest.

Overall, few could complain at the outcome but it was disappointing to drop two points so late in the game.

Alty have had a tough start to the campaign with multiple injuries compounded by having to play eight of the league's top 10 already this season.

On Saturday, Braintree Town visit the J. Davidson Stadium (3pm) when Altrincham hope to have midfielder Simon Richman back in contention after his injury lay-off.

Tuesday's draw leaves Altrincham in 19th place in non-League's top flight.

Alty's Youth team travel to FC United of Manchester's new stadium on Monday next (21st, 7.45pm) in the FA Youth Cup.

ALTRINCHAM: Deasy, Densmore (c), Leather, Havern, Griffin, Sinnott

(Heathcote 86), Moult, Parry, Bowerman (Crowther 62), Lawrie, Rankine.

Unused subs: O'Keefe, Reeves, Davis