Altrincham edged past Blackburn’s Under-21s side 6-5 on penalties to secure the bonus point in their opening National League Cup game after a thrilling 3-3 draw.
Having made nine changes from Saturday’s league defeat at Braintree Town, the Robins surrendered their lead three times in 90 minutes after goals from Matty Kosylo, Tom Crawford, and Lucas Weaver.
In the National League Cup, if it is level after 90 minutes then both sides get a point, and Blackburn deserved theirs after goals from Exauce Mafoumbi, Zack Stritch, and Freddie Leatherbarrow.
Altrincham opened the scoring after seven minutes when Kosylo cut in from the right wing and saw his left-footed shot deflect past Blackburn goalkeeper Jack Barrett.
Rovers almost equalised after 21 minutes when Zack Stritch’s powerful strike hit both the crossbar and post before rebounding away.
They again came close five minutes later when Thomas Bloxham’s goal-bound effort was cleared off the line by Altrincham’s Joel Bailey.
Blackburn finally equalised after 47 minutes when Mafoumbi turned home from close range after a Brandon Powell cross from the left wing.
Altrincham’s lead was restored seven minutes later when Crawford fired an impressive long-range effort into the bottom corner.
Rovers equalised again after 78 minutes when Stritch fired home after Igor Tyjon’s right footed side rebounded off the post
The Robins retook the lead five minutes later when Weaver rounded Blackburn goalkeeper Barrett and scored into an empty goal.
Blackburn equalised for the third time after 88 minutes when Lewis Bell played through Leatherbarrow whose shot across goal found the bottom corner.
Altrincham triumphed on penalties after Brandon Powell rattled the crossbar on the 14th spot kick.
Feature Image: James Taylor
