Altrincham 1, York City 1

The former Newcastle Benfield striker saw his 34th-minute spot-kick saved by Stuart Coburn but levelled the scores with his first kick of the second half.

His 46th-minute effort was Brodie’s 18th goal of the season and earned the Minstermen a deserved share of the spoils at Moss Lane after Shaun Densmore had given the home side a 14th-minute lead.

City boss Martin Foyle included fit-again right-back Ben Purkiss in his starting line-up and handed 18-year-old striker Adam Boyes his first senior start.

Andy McWilliams dropped to the bench as Simon Brown shifted to the right side of a three-pronged strikeforce with Brodie on the opposite flank.

Kyle Critchell continued at centre-back with David McGurk and Mark Greaves both ruled out while Altrincham included former Minsterman Joe O’Neill.

Chris Denham and O’Neill both missed the target with early chances for the home team while Brown’s attempted 20-yard lob at the other end only required a routine save from Robins goalkeeper Coburn.

City fell behind on 14 minutes, however, in avoidable circumstances.

Skipper for the night Parslow tried to shepherd a hopeful long ball down the right channel over the goal-line only for Denham to steal possession and cross for O’Neill.

His scuffed shot was cleared off the line by Purkiss but Densmore followed up to drive in.

Densmore then called Michael Ingham into action with a 25-yard free-kick shortly afterwards before Brown shot tamely wide after Boyes’ cushioned header.

Alty survived a massive scare when Greg Young, under pressure from Brodie, beat Coburn with a sidefooted back-pass but the ball flashed just wide of the home ’keeper’s left-hand post.

On 33 minutes, the Minstermen were dubiously awarded a chance to level the scores when Dale Johnson mis-hit an attempted clearance and his trailing arm brushed the ball.

But Brodie failed to capitalise from the penalty spot with Coburn diving to his left to push the England ‘C’ international’s effort, which was at a comfortable height for the Robins’ stopper, around a post with both hands.

City could have fell further behind when Johnson sprung the offside trap but an alert Ingham charged off his line to block at the former Hyde United striker’s feet.

A hard-working Brown then raced clear in first-half stoppage time but overran the ball, allowing Coburn to halt his progress.

City, sent out early by Foyle for the restart, responded by levelling the scores 46 seconds into the second half.

Purkiss hoisted a long ball into the penalty box that Alty defender James Smith misjudged in the air, leaving Brodie with an angled ten-yard opportunity that Coburn could only help into his bottom left-hand corner.

A crisp Boyes 25-yard strike warmed Coburn’s hands on 65 minutes while home substitute Warren Peyton went close for Altrincham with a diving header after good work down the right by Densmore.

Another strong run by Densmore saw Ingham make an excellent instinctive save to keep out Johnson’s close-range effort.

Parslow went close to atoning for his earlier error on 78 minutes, charging with determination to meet Adam Smith’s right-wing cross with his head, only for Coburn to make a fine save.

Match facts

Altrincham 1 (Densmore 14), York City 1 (Brodie 46)

City: Michael Ingham 8, Ben Purkiss 7, Kyle Critchell 7, Danny Parslow 6, Mark Robinson 7, Simon Rusk 7, Levi Mackin 7, Christian Smith 7, Simon Brown 7, Richard Brodie 7, Adam Boyes 7.

Substitutions: Adam Smith (for Brown, 74), Andy McWilliams (for Rusk, 90)

Key: 10 – Faultless; 9 – Outstanding; 8 – Excellent; 7 – Good; 6 – Average; 5 – Below par; 4 – Poor; 3 – Dud; 2 – Hopeless; 1 – Retire

City’s star man: Michael Ingham – the York City goalkeeper was safe and reliable throughout.

Altrincham: Coburn, Smith, McGregor, Young, Doughty, Lawton, Densmore, Danylyk (Hadfield 75), Denham (Peyton 63), Johnson, O’Neill (Banim 64).

Subs unused: Ralph, Lane.

Yellow cards: Lawton 21, Densmore 43, C Smith 62.

Referee: Lee Metcalfe (Lancashire).

Attendance: 1,027.

Subs not used: Mimms, McBreen, Sodje.