ALTRINCHAM arrived at Chester looking for their first goal in nearly five hours of play in what was a sixth away game in their last seven National league fixtures on Saturday.

The enforced absences of both winger Ryan Crowther and manager Lee Sinnott, both suffering with a virus, did not help to foster optimism.

But, despite these pre-match setbacks, Altrincham dominated the opening stages.

As early as the third minute Michael Rankine smacked a fierce low shot against the Chester upright, with keeper Jon Worsnop well beaten.

However, it was the hosts who took a 20th-minute lead. A cross from the Chester left was deflected into the path of Ross Hannah and the striker cut inside both Adam Griffin and Scott Leather, who both slipped on the wet surface, before scoring past goalkeeper Tim Deasy.

Alty were indebted to their keeper for several important saves and to Leather for heading a goalbound effort off the line. However, the half-time introduction of winger Nicky Clee lifted the visitors' performance.

Troubled by injury all season, Clee was soon tantalising the Chester defence with skilful dribbling up the left wing.

But it was to be a cross from the other wing, by Jordan Sinnott, that produced Altrincham's equaliser as Rankine rose above goalkeeper Worsnop to head home a 60th-minute leveller.

Unfortunately, just eight minutes later, Clee went down injured and had to be stretchered off.

Despite this setback, which forced a reshuffle as teenager Sam Heathcote came on at right-back and Sinnott moved into midfield, it was Altrincham who almost snatched a stoppage-time winner.

George Bowerman and Rankine combined well for the latter to shoot at goal. Worsnop could only push the ball away but the Chester keeper made a good block to stop Bowerman converting the loose ball.

Altrincham faced another away game, last night in the FA Trophy, when they were due to visit Leamington in a match originally scheduled for Tuesday night but put back 24 hours.

They return to the J. Davidson Stadium on Saturday when Gateshead are the visitors in the league.

ALTRINCHAM: Deasy, Sinnott, Leather, Havern (capt), Griffin, Moult, Richman, O'Keefe (Clee, Heathcote), Lawrie, Rankine, Reeves (Bowerman).

Unused subs: Williams, Swift.