Latics staged a dramatic second-half comeback from two goals down to draw 2-2 with local rivals Altrincham and extend their unbeaten run to five matches.

The hosts were forced into three changes from Saturday’s victory at Solihull Moors, with ever-present goalkeeper Matt Hudson and defender Reagan Ogle both ruled out through injury. Jacob Dennis made his debut between the posts, while Vimal Yoganathan earned his first start and Will Sutton replaced Ogle in defense.

Altrincham, unbeaten in five matches and led by National League top scorer Regan Linney, struck first when Alex Newby’s low shot beat Dennis in the 41st minute. The visitors doubled their lead just 32 seconds after the restart when Linney curled home his 17th league goal of the season.

Manager Micky Mellon responded with a triple substitution after 52 minutes, introducing Josh Lundstram, James Norwood and Tom Pett. The changes paid immediate dividends as Norwood, returning from injury, pulled one back five minutes later after being put through by Mike Fondop.

Latics completed their comeback in the 81st minute when goalkeeper Caleb Ansen fumbled the ball, allowing Lundstram to smash home the equalizer. The hosts pushed for a winner late on, with Charlie Raglan shooting wide and Fondop seeing a header tipped over, while Altrincham almost snatched victory when Elliott Osborne’s free kick struck the post in stoppage time.

“From a manager’s point of view we shouldn’t have to score three goals to win a game of football, but I think the positive is we have gone 2-0 down and the boys have showed great character to get us back in it and we could have won it at the end,” Mellon said. “The lads deserve a great deal of credit.”

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