NEIL Young's new faces made an eagerly-awaited first appearance in Altrincham colours but found themselves upstaged by the distinctly familiar figure of Damian Reeves at Widnes on Sunday.

Alty's master goal poacher showed he has not lost his touch with an assured late equaliser, as Young's new-look side came back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2.

The emphasis was on game time for as many new signings and trialists as possible in Alty's first pre-season friendly, but it was clear vastly-experienced striker Reeves will have a key role to play in the coming campaign.

"It was a useful workout, and there were plenty of positives," said Alty boss Young, whose pre-season programme continues against Chester at The J.Davidson Stadium on Saturday (3pm).

"I thought Tom Hannigan did really well at centre-back, and there were others you could mention, like Sam Patterson, James Lawrie, Jamie Menagh and Damian Reeves.

"I asked Damian to do a certain job, and it was obvious what that was.

"We're trying to get him playing on the last man, down the channels, and getting in behind people.

"I had a good chat with him and said I wanted to see him spinning in behind people at every opportunity, because that's what gets him his goals.

"We've got Danny Hattersley and Craig Hobson to take the bangs, if you like, or to be the first phase, then Damian to get in behind and finish things off.

"He did that numerous times against Widnes, so we'll carry on working with him along those lines.

"He is a goalscorer, and you try and get the best out of your goalscorers, because they are the hardest people to find.

"I thought there was a bit of quality about our goals.

"We played some good stuff, and Menagh showed, for the second one, that he can pick a pass.

"But those balls can't be played without the run by whoever gets on the end of them.

"Reevesie was making those runs, and that's what we're asking him to do."

Meanwhile, Alty hope to confirm shortly the signing of a holding midfielder with Football League experience.