Hampson pounces for the Robins’ late leveller
ALTRINCHAM left it late to secure a 2-2 draw with Sutton United in the National League.
After a Toby Mullarkey header in the 15th minute gave Alty the lead, Sutton scored twice before half-time and held on to their lead until added time of the second half when Connor Hampson equalised.
Despite United looking the stronger side in the early stages, it was the Robins who found the net first.
After his corner was initially cleared, Matty Kosylo sent in an in-swinging cross that was met by Mullarkey who headed the ball past Sutton goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis.
The hosts were back in just after the half-hour mark, Will Randall cutting in from the left to whip in a dangerous cross that was headed in by David Ajiboye to make it 1-1.
Sutton struck again in the 39th minute, this time Isaac Olaofe stabbing home from close range after the Robins failed to deal with a Randall corner kick.
Altrincham’s on-loan midfielder, Alistair Smith, saw a shot that was destined for the net deflected a minute into the second half, and the Sutton defence blocked a well-struck volley from the loanee 10 minutes later that also looked to be going in.
Alty continued to push for the leveller and in what turned out to be the last kick of the game, Hampson was gifted the ball through a deflection and rocketed a shot home.
That pushed Alty up to fifth, level on points with rivals Stockport County.
Manager Phil Parkinson said: “It’s very, very tight. Even if you’re below mid-table or around that area, you’re a win or two away from being in the play-offs.
“Where we are, you can drop right down if you have a bad week and everyone has a good one.”
Altrincham host King’s Lynn Town tomorrow evening at the J Davidson Stadium in their next league clash.