Alty 1 Wrexham 1

10:06pm Monday 25th August 2008

PRIDE was restored at Moss Lane as Alty snatched a point from Wrexham.

Following their 4-0 thumping at Kidderminster on Saturday, a thick gloom had sat heavily upon the Robins.

But the players showed renewed passion and focus for the visit of the Welsh promotion favourites and were good value for their point.

Overall, the whole day was a positive experience, Wrexham bringing with them a huge army of fans to contribute to the biggest league crowd at Moss Lane in 17 years - 2,619.

Anticipating an arduous afternoon, Graham Heathcote shuffled his pack to better cope with the Dragons' threat.

Warren Peyton slotted in at left back, where he provided a steady presence, while Matt Doughty moved to left midfield and on the right flank, Richard Battersby and Alex Meechan replaced the suspended Chris Lane and Chris Denham.

Senior also made his first start of the season alongside Colin Little up front.

Surprising as a couple of them were, the changes provided instant reward.

The Robins forced themselves onto the front foot early and much to the shock and dismay of the travelling hoardes, were ahead within six minutes.

Finding space and time on the left flank, Doughty cut the ball back to Anthony Danylyk and although he badly mishit his shot, the ball bobbled up into the air and Senior nipped in top plant a clever header into the corner of the net.

There was nothing to choose between the teams for the remainder of the half. Alty were honest and industrious, while Wrexham seemed to lack the class to distinguish them as championship challengers.

A stinging 25-yard effort from Kyle Critchell offered hope for Wrexham but Stuart Coburn pulled off a superb reaction save to palm it over the bar.

Alty's best chance saw Greg Young's dipping header from a pinpoint Alex Meechan corner land on the roof of the net.

But despite looking pretty inept up front, the visitors got themselves back on level terms six minutes before the break - with a little help from the referee.

The man in the middle allowed towering striker Jefferson Louis to get away with all manner of grappling and wrestling in his battles with Alty's two centre halves.

Even when the striker shoved Mark McGregor in the chest as the pair tussled for the ball, a free kick was mystifyingly awarded to Wrexham. From the set piece Tom Kearney delivered an inviting ball into the box and when Coburn flapped at it, Louis rose to head into the empty net.

But Alty had their fair share of luck in the early stages of the second half.

Only a brilliantly timed challenge from McGregor denied Louis an almost certain goal minutes after the interval when he was poised to strike six yards out.

Then Greg Young survived a strong penalty shout from the visitors after he dived in on Shaun Whalley just inside the area, sending the striker flopping somewhat dramatically to the turf.

Sandwiched in between those two incidents, Alty created a decent opportunity, not dissimilar from the chance which provided their goal.

Again the ball was cut back to Danylyk on the edge of the area, this time by Senior, and his mishit shot was deflected narrowly wide of the upright by Little.

Alex Meechan also came close, hitting a low shot off target after doing well to fashion an opening on the edge of the area.

Although Alty were marginally the better team, Wrexham had by far the best chance of the half.

Louis nodded Kearney's raking cross down to Whalley inside the area but he smashed a woefully poor shot into orbit with the goal at his mercy.

Heathcote's introduction of Dale Johnson and particularly Chris Denham ensured there were still a few uneasy moments to be endured by the visitors.

The direct running approach of Denham seemed to have the Dragons' defence at sixes and sevens, completely unsure how to deal with his threat.

But the pacy forward couldn't properly capitalise and when he skipped past two players to create a bit of space 10 minutes from time, his 20-yard shot lacked the power to beat Gavin Ward.

Ultimately, a draw was justice.

Alty player ratings: Coburn 6; Battersby 6 (Street 66, 6), McGregor 8, Young 7, Peyton 6; Meechan 6, Lawton 6, Danylyk 7, Doughty 6; Little 6 (Denham 55, 7), Senior 7 (Johnson 55, 6). Subs not used: Ralph, Elam.