COLCLOUGH THE SAVIOUR AS ROBINS BATTLE BACK

PHIL Parkinson’s Altrincham recovered from two down at the break to secure a vital point at home to fellow strugglers Woking, despite having an early penalty saved by Mark Smith in the Cards’ goal.

First-half goals from Inih Effiong – inside the opening 20 seconds – and Kyran Lofthouse were cancelled out by a brace from Robins wingman Ryan Colclough to ensure the hosts ended a run of four defeats in a row.

“We’ve showed massive resilience to come back”, said Altrincham assistant boss Neil Sorvel. “It’s clear we can get out of this run we’re on.

“I actually thought we controlled the game better in the first half, without creating the chances, but in the second we moved the ball quicker and create more.

“They had some good chances to kill us off, but some great saves from Tony [Thompson] allowed us to pick up a deserved point.”

Woking got off to the perfect start, taking the lead almost straight from kickoff. With the Alty defence static, Jamar Loza played Effiong in behind, and he coolly placed the ball past Thompson.

A reprieve should have came just seven minutes later for Altrincham when Louie Annersley brought debutant Chris ConnClarke down in the box but Elliot Osborne couldn’t beat Smith from 12 yards – the stopper saving well down to his right.

And Woking made them pay in the 33rd minute when Lofthouse beat two defenders before hitting a crisp effort into the top left corner.

The hosts grew into the game after the break, and pulled a goal back in the 66th minute when Colclough headed in Dan Mooney’s corner.

Woking really should have put the game to bed with two great chances mid-way through the half. First Eddy Jones lost the ball to Tarryn Allarakhia inside his own box, and he squared to Effiong unmarked inside the six-yardbox but Thompson produced an incredible reaction save.

Then, moments later, Thompson again denied Effiong, this time rushing out to make a crucial block to keep the hosts in the game.

And this proved pivotal as with five minutes to go when Colclough produced the moment of the match – a superb solo effort which saw him beat the last defender and score a wonderful effort into the far corner from a narrow angle to earn the Robins a deserved point.

“We’re disappointed”, admitted Woking boss Alan Dowson. “The performance was good, but when you’re 2-0 up, you should win the game. Especially with the chances we created.

“There’s positives and negatives, but that’s been the story of our season I suppose. We’ve missed some sitters today, and it’s crucial that you take your chances.”

STAR MAN: Ryan Colclough (Altrincham) ATT: 1,334 ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★ REFEREE: Robert Whitton