by John Edwards

LEE Sinnott admitted to mixed feelings after seeing Altrincham claim their first away point of the season in dramatic style at Alfreton on Tuesday night.

There was relief all round in the Altrincham ranks when Kyle Perry headed home an 89th-minute corner to force a 1-1 draw.

But Sinnott insisted it was scant reward for a dominant display that should have made it two wins out of two, following their hugely- impressive Non-League Day victory over Dartford.

While it was encouraging to see Alty call the shots on their travels, Sinnott urged them to develop a ruthless streak, as they prepared to return to the J.Davidson Stadium against Eastleigh this Saturday (3pm).

"If you look at the game as a whole, we’ve seen the whites of the keeper’s eyes something like seven times," said the Alty manager. ‘Yet on all but one or two of those occasions, we have failed to work him.

"We have ticked a couple of boxes, such as first away win and first time we have come from behind to take something, but when you play all the football and create so many opportunities, you have to be more clinical.

"That is all that prevented us taking all three points, and while there were many pleasing aspects about our performance, there is still a measure of frustration. We are learning as we go along, and there is no doubt we need to toughen up a bit. Not in a physical sense, but in making the most of chances created.

"It makes all the difference in this league. Our keeper Dave Parton wasn’t exactly overworked, but we only drew 1-1. There are slightly mixed feelings, but I believe in the football we are playing, and I think the supporters do, too.

"They enjoyed it on Saturday, and around 100 of them applauded us off the pitch on Tuesday night, after we kept knocking on the door and finally forced it open. We kept playing, and that was good."

Damian Reeves, Simon Richman, Nicky Clee and Ryan Crowther all face Thursday night fitness checks before Saturday’s game.