Altrincham’s impressive winning run ended in controversial style at Huish Park on Tuesday night as a disputed late penalty led to an equaliser for Yeovil Town and a straight red card for defender James Jones.

It was a night of mixed emotions for centre-back Jones after he headed Alty in front in the 22nd minute but was then given his marching orders for handling on the line in the 78th minute, as Yeovil forced a 1-1 draw to deny the Robins a fourth successive win.

Speaking straight after the final whistle, Phil Parkinson was unsure whether Jones had a case in arguing it was accidental.

But the Alty boss had no complaints about the outcome after his side started on the front foot but were pegged back in the second half.

“If the referee deems it to be deliberate handball, it is a sending off, but it’s very difficult to be sure without having a closer look,’” Parkinson said.

“James says the ball struck his arm but it wasn’t deliberate, but you see these situations being debated in Premier League games every week, and it is so difficult to be sure either way.

“The goal was coming, though. They looked like scoring in the second half because we couldn’t string a pass together, and that was bitterly disappointing.

“What’s particularly disappointing is that we should have been out of sight by half time.

“They defended as if their lives depended on it, but we should have been two or three goals clear, with the chances we had.

“But, much as it feels like a win has been grappled away from us, it is still a good point on the road, and as long as we keep doing that, we will be on course to achieve our aim, which is to finish with more points than last season.”

Alty continue on their travels over the next few days, with an away fixture at Wealdstone on Saturday (3pm) and a trip to Scunthorpe United next Tuesday (7.45pm).