THERE was heartbreak for Altrincham as a goal in the fourth minute of added time robbed them of any reward for an excellent team performance in which stand-in captain Jake Moult led by example.

Moult put his side ahead in only the third minute of the game, with a superb chip over the goalkeeper.

And, just four minutes later, a very similar effort from Damian Reeves was only an inch or two over the bar.

But the Robins could not hold their lead and an uncharacteristic slip by Scott Leather allowed in Callum Harriott to score an equaliser.

There was no evidence of the two-division gulf between the two clubs and, indeed, it was Altrincham who stunned United with a second goal, just 16 seconds into the second half. Michael Rankine, who was a thorn in the United side throughout, was played into the box up the middle and beat the advancing keeper with a low shot.

However, again, the lead was short-lived. Just seven minutes after falling behind, Colchester levelled through a Lapslie header after goalkeeper Tim Deasy had been unable to hold the ball when he came to gather a low through-ball.

Alty almost clinched the tie with a late winner when Nicky Clee got on the end of George Bowerman feed. But keeper Jones blocked the Alty man's shot.

With the game into the fourth added minute of time, Colchester snatched an undeserved winner when an Alty clearance fell to Harriott who lashed a shot past Deasy.

On Saturday Altrincham begin another potential route to Wembley when they play an FA Trophy tie at home to Leamington (3pm).

Altrincham: Deasy, Sinnott, Leather, Heathcote, Griffin, Moult (capt), Richman, Lawrie, Crowther (Clee), Rankine, Reeves (Bowerman). Unused

subs: Williams, Stouppis, Davis, Swift, Cain.