Phil Parkinson described Tony Thompson’s performance as being worthy of a Football League setting after Altrincham salvaged a 1-1 draw in a dramatic final few minutes at Woking on Tuesday night.

After hauling themselves level with a Josh Hancock penalty at the start of added time, Alty looked to have blown the chance of a hard-earned point when Moussa Diarra rose to meet a corner with an unchallenged header seconds from time.

But exactly a fortnight after denying Woking a stoppage-time equaliser with a brilliant double save at The J.Davidson Stadium, Thompson was at it again, as he instinctively flung out a hand to claw the close-range effort away from the top corner.

It followed two earlier full-length saves from the in-form keeper, and Alty boss Parkinson enthused: "The three saves he made were at Football League level, but that’s the standard he’s been performing at this season.

“I didn’t see an equaliser coming for us, because we didn’t work their keeper enough. It was a really poor game, but they managed to work our keeper more than we did theirs.

“Fortunately, Tony was absolutely outstanding. He has probably got us that draw."

Nyal Bell, signed on loan from Stockport County for the rest of this season earlier in the day, made his debut as a second-half substitute for fellow-striker Joe Piggott, who missed a clear-cut early chance on his first start for the club.

“It was a great chance, and Joe looked to have done everything right," said Parkinson. “He is normally clinical in those situations, but he slipped as he hit the shot.

“Nyal will make an impact for us. He needs a bit more fitness after not playing much for Stockport, but you can see what he’s about from how well he did on loan at Halifax recently. He is a Manchester lad who knows us quite well, and he really fancies being part of what we are doing here.

“Though we didn’t play particularly well, we battled and showed endeavour and character right to the end, and that’s how you get your rewards. Sometimes you need an outcome like this, when you’re not at your best but you get something out of it, and it could be a turning point for us.”