PHIL Parkinson saluted Altrincham’s marathon men after they shrugged off the effects of a four-hour coach journey to snatch a 96th-minute point-saver at King’s Lynn Town on Saturday.

Skipper Jake Moult scrambled home Alty’s second equaliser of the game in the sixth and final minute of stoppage time to force a 2-2 draw and leave Parkinson marvelling at his side’s durability.

"We more than deserved to come away with something after the effort we put in, on the back of such a long journey," said the Alty boss.

"Maybe we need to look at the geography involved in this league and consider the occasional overnight, because when you are cooped up on a bus for four hours, it is going to have an adverse effect.

"I’m sure that had something to do with us starting sluggishly, but we kept going to the bitter end.

"We left everything out there on the pitch, and I’m delighted for ourselves and the fans who made the trip that we ended up with something to show for it.

"Our fans, particularly those who travel, are absolutely out of this world, and I’m so glad we gave them something to feel good about."

Alty, who have signed Trafford's top scorer Lewis Salmon on a contract, will be out to dazzle the BBC cameras when they face York City in the FA Cup first round at Bootham Crescent on Sunday.

"It is really exciting, and I'm glad we can put some money in the club's coffers and give the fans something back for all the support they give us," added Parkinson.

"I know what this competition means to Alty fans after all the league scalps the club have claimed down the years, and we would love to add to that.

"First, we face a colossal task at York. They are a club with a phenomenal budget, and they are top of the league for a reason.

"We are going to need our best game to take something out of it, but I know we can do it."