ALTRINCHAM'S quest for that elusive away win will rumble on after they claimed their fifth draw in six games on their travels against Grays on Saturday.

They seemed destined to end their wait after going in at half time 1-0 up thanks to Val Owen's first strike of the season.

But although Stuart Coburn made a string of good saves, they could not keep the Essex side out and Dennis Oli equalised in the 66th minute to give his side a share of the spoils.

Alty had been under pressure right from the off at the Recreation Ground, with Coburn called into action three times within the opening 10 minutes alone.

First, he got down well to stop Lee Boylan's header from an Oli cross and then he made a smart double stop to deny both Justin Richards and Glenn Poole as it looked certain that Grays would open the scoring.

And although Coburn denied Richards again to keep his side in it, it was actually the visitors who took the initiative in front of goal.

The ball broke to Owen on the edge of the area and the midfielder fired a low shot past Ashley Bayes and into the corner of the net.

This break allowed Alty to exert more influence on the game and with Steve Bushell and Lewis Chalmers both performing well in midfield, they enjoyed the odd chance on goal.

Colin Little came close after heading a Chalmers long throw towards goal, but this time Bayes was alert, tipping the effort over the bar.

And from the resultant corner, the ball was cleared to Steve Aspinall 20 yards out, only for the full back to slice his shot wide.

But, having gone in a goal down at the break, Grays started the second period much as they had the first.

After containing their hosts well for the first 15 minutes of the half, Alty received a warning shot when Oli fired across the face of goal after receiving a lay off from Richards.

And when that warning went unheeded, the pair combined again just five minutes later, Richards again feeding Oli, this time the forward making no mistake.

The Robins' response saw Warren Peyton blast narrowly over from a corner but it was again Grays who came closest in the final stages.

Oli wasted a free header inside the box, while Karl Munroe was forced to clear a corner off the line, but the visitors held out for another creditable away point.

Altrincham player ratings: Coburn 9; Aspinall 6, Munroe 7, Rose 7, Scott 5 (O'Neill 78); Lawton 5, Bushell 7, Owen 6, Chalmers 7, Peyton 6; Little 8 (Thomson 90). Subs not used: Thornley, McFadden, Potts.