Suspect defending saw Town squander a two goal lead at home to Altrincham and both sides take a point form tonight's 2 v 2 draw.The Shaymen can take heart from an excellent opening 25 minutes which saw them in total control as they cruised into a 2 goal lead courtesy of Andy Campbell's goals but will be concerned at the manner in which they allowed their opponents back into the game before half time.
Chris Wilder rewarded Daryl Taylor's fine showing from the bench at Weymouth with a place in the starting line up in the only change from the opening game.And Taylor was the outlet with his pace and trickery on the right for wave after wave of Town attacks.
Lewis Killeen had the first shot of note in the 7th minute.Darryn Stamp flicked on Rob Scott's throw but Killeen's volley was too high.
Campbell signalled his danger when he almost latched onto Cortez Belle's pass but Stuart Coburn in the Altrincham goal gathered.Adam Quinn met the clearance powerfully and Campbell latched onto the ball and coolly slid it past the advancing Coburn to give The Shaymen a 1 v 0 lead.
Good play by Tom Kearney released Taylor on the right and his cross was met by a diving Stamp but his header was straight at the keeper.
Ex Town forwards Chris Senior and Colin Little tried to reply for the visitors but were held at bay by the Town defence.
It wasn't long before Campbell struck again.Stamp collected the ball in midfield and played an inch perfect pass into Taylor's path.The winder beat his man and Campbell headed the precise cross into Coburn's net and The Shaymen held a 2 goal advantage and appeared to be cruising.
Senior shot straight at Mawson from 6 yards out as Altrincham pressed but Chris Wilder will be disappointed in the manner of the visitor's first goal.A long ball out of defence wasn't deal with by Quinn and Colin Little nipped in to beat the advancing Mawson.
Two minutes later and the scores were level.Another long ball evaded the defence forcing Mawson to the edge of his area where he was adjudged to have handled outside the box.After a lengthy delay for a Referee / Assistant consultation the Town Keeper received a yellow card and worse was to follow as Jake Sedgemore blasted home the free kick from 20 yards out.
An ankle injury curtailed a promising full debut from Daryl Taylor with Danny Forrest taking his place and the half ended all square at 2 v 2.
Senior and Forrest exchanged yellow cards before a 57th minute reshuffle saw Steve Torpey take Stamp's place.
Forrest tried his luck but failed to trouble Coburn on 2 occasions then Coburn denied Campbell a hat trick with a point blank save after Belle had headed a corner across goal.
Altrincham rarely threatened in the 2nd period but Town were unable to find their killer instinct.Coburn saved well from Torpey as the seconds ticked away, this being just after Robbie Lawton was sent off for his second bookable offence.
Town will be looking to emulate the first 30 minutes when they entertain Histon on Saturday at The Shay, kick off 3pm.
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