ALTRINCHAM were without leading scorer Michael Rankine due to flu but still scored three times in a 3-3 draw against Lincoln City.

Fans at the J.Davidson Stadium were treated to an amazing opening to this National League game.

In addition to three goals and a missed penalty in the opening 20 minutes, there were as many good scoring chances that went astray in that period.

After kicking off, Alty lost possession and, with barely 30 seconds on the clock, they allowed Lincoln's James Caton the freedom of Moss Lane to stride through the middle of their defence.

Only a good stop from keeper Tim Deasy kept the Lincoln man out.

The tone had been set for a crazy opening spell and Lincoln top scorer Matt Rhead scuffed his shot to Deasy from six yards, before Altrincham responded by taking a fourth-minute lead.

The opening goal came when Ryan Crowther's well-struck 25-yarder was not held by keeper Farman and Jonny Margetts, on loan from Tranmere, slotted home the loose ball.

However, Lincoln equalised just three minutes later when the Alty defence was again found lacking, allowing the statuesque striker Rhead to stand still and plant a firm header past Deasy from Bradley Wood's right-wing cross.

But just two minutes more had passed before Alty regained the lead.

This time, Burnley loanee Josh Ginnelly was on hand to net his third goal in six appearances for the Robins as he volleyed home a Crowther cross.

It should have been 2-2 after 19 minutes when Alty captain Jake Moult's foul on Caton gave the visitors a penalty.

However, Rhead blasted the spot-kick comfortably wide – to Alty's relief.

The eventful afternoon continued as, just after the half-hour mark, Lincoln were award a fortuitous second penalty, for alleged handball against Moult.

This time Rhead did score from the spot, which meant there was a 2-2 scoreline at the break.

Initially, the second half lacked the high excitement of the first period but then Lincoln took a 3-2 lead when Jack Muldoon held off a challenge to score for The Imps.

With two Alty substitutes on the touchline, ready to come on, Damian Reeves scored an equaliser – its bizarre nature in keeping with the game as a whole.

Lincoln's Greg Tempest had played the ball back to keeper Paul Farman from 25 yards.

However, the Lincoln keeper tried twice to tee the ball up to volley clear, only for Reeves to close him down smartly. Farman's attempted clearance then cannoned off the striker's back into the net with Reeves rewarded.

There were no more goals, leaving Altrincham with a third successive draw and four points above the relegation zone going into Tuesday's rearranged game against Chester.

ALTRINCHAM: Deasy, Sinnott, Leather, Hoilness, Griffin, Moult, Richman, Crowther (Mottley-Henry), Ginnelly, Margetts, Reeves (Lawrie). Unused subs: Heathcote, Williams, O'Keefe.