ALTRINCHAM extended their unbeaten away run to 11 games but were still left ‘angry and frustrated’ after being pegged back by two late goals at promotion rivals Ashton United on Saturday.

Seemingly on course for a win that would have further strengthened their position at the top of the Evo-Stik Premier, Alty had to settle for a 3-3 draw after Ashton scored from a hotly-disputed free kick in the 67th minute and equalised in the 89th.

Phil Parkinson’s side have not lost away since Workington on September 12, but the Alty boss admitted: "There’s a lot of anger and frustration in our changing room that we didn’t see the game out at 3-1 up just after the hour mark.

"I thought we were superb in the first half and should have been out of sight after being so dominant, but it was a slight worry that, going in on level terms, we hadn’t made it pay.

"But 3-1 should have been game over, so everyone is very frustrated and very angry at how it ended up.

"The referee gave a free kick that should never have been, and they executed it superbly to make it 3-2.

"That swayed the game in their favour, and they really came at us, but even so, we should have managed things better.

"On the positive side, at the start of the season, I would have taken a four-point haul from two games against Ashton, and we have come up with a fantastic goal from John Johnston to make it 2-1.

"We were ribbing him before the game and asking when he was going to score a goal from open play, but he answered his critics there with an exceptional finish.

"With the pitches firming up, I think we are going to see the best of JJ now.

"We’ve got some really tough games coming up, but we are in a very positive position."

Alty, who travel to Shaw Lane on Saturday, weather permitting, have rearranged their home game against Stourbridge to Tuesday night (7.45pm) after it was postponed last Tuesday, due to a frozen pitch.