FOR the second time this season Altrincham allowed a potential away win to slip away in the closing minutes by conceding an equaliser in Saturday's 1-1 draw at Kidderminster.

Back in February it had happened at Welling United and history repeated itself at Aggborough against the National League's bottom club.

With Marcus Holness back in defence after injury, Kidderminster nevertheless went close to scoring inside two minutes. It took a fine save from goalkeeper Tim Deasy to beat out an effort from Elton Ngwatala.

But then Altrincham took an early lead, going ahead inside the 10th minute.

The goal was superbly executed by Damian Reeves. He latched onto Adam Griffin's excellent through ball and coolly lobbed the keeper from just outside the box and to the left of goal.

But Altrincham failed to build on their lead. Reeves had a chance to double the lead just five minutes after his opening goal, with a similar chance to the one he had converted. But, this time, he hit his effort at the keeper.

After the interval, Kidderminster soon brought on all three permitted substitutes and these had the effect of boosting the home side's attacking options. The Harriers had already shown a capacity to pass and keep the ball and as the game wore on they got the upper hand. Altrincham were penned back and had no reliable linkage between their midfield and their lone striker, initially Reeves and later Michael Rankine.

The hosts' pressure finally got a deserved reward in the 89th minute when Bournemouth loanee Ben Whitfield flashed home a shot from the right side of the penalty area.

Alty survived a torrid few minutes after that but emerged with a point where three had seemed likely so shortly beforehand.

ALTRINCHAM: Deasy, Leather, Havern, Holness, Griffin, Moult (capt), O'Keefe, Richman, Ginnelly, Lawrie, Reeves. Subs: Heathcote, Phillips, Rankine, Sinnott, Crowther.