PHIL Parkinson saluted a ‘captain’s goal’ from Jake Moult after it salvaged an Emirates FA Cup replay against Gateshead and handed Altrincham the tantalising prospect of a home second-round tie with former Premier League club Charlton Athletic.
Alty were staring at defeat at the Gateshead International Stadium after going 2-0 behind, but a fightback started by a goal from substitute Marcus Dinanga was rounded off in dramatic style when skipper Moult made it 2-2 with virtually the last kick of the game.
The sides meet again at The J.Davidson Stadium on Tuesday night, and there will be plenty to play for after last Monday night’s draw paired the winners with League One Charlton, who were mixing it with the Premier League elite as recently as 2007.
“That was a captain’s goal by Jake,” said relieved Robins manager Parkinson, who gave midfielder Adam Porter his debut as a second-half substitute after signing him on loan from Stoke City.
“I wasn’t sure I wanted to see him that far forward, but when you’re behind that late on, you have to take risks.
“He has scored some important goals for us, and that was another, but we know there is still a job to be done, because Gateshead showed what a good side they are.
“We made it difficult for ourselves, because, in the first half, we were terrible. That’s the only word I can use. We had players coming back in, which may have been a factor, but we looked disjointed, while they were bang at it.
“We conceded a goal from their first attack in the second half, which was criminal, but we were much better after that.
“We grew into the game, and what really got us back in it was the quality we were able to bring on from the bench.
“Matty Kosylo gave us an extra dimension, while Marcus Dinanga could have sulked after being out of the team recently but, instead, got on with it and took his goal well. Tom Walker and Adam Porter also did ever so well after going on.
“A lot of people seemed to think we were out of it at 2-0 down, but how many times have this team come back like that?
“They keep going right to the very end, and when you do that, you sometimes get your rewards.”
Before the cup replay, Alty host National League leaders Boreham Wood on Saturday (3pm).
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here