In the early stages both teams struggled to come to terms with a sodden pitch, a victim of several early morning Manchester downpours, but it was Crawley who looked the more potent.
Their best chance came when Daryl Clare seized on a poor back pass from Altrincham's Chris Adams. But after going clean through, the usually reliable goalscorer opted to square for strike partner Steve Burton, and Mark Maddox cleared comfortably for the home side.
Once Altrincham had come to terms with Crawley's high-tempo style they began to create some chances of their own.
Winger Colin Potts was at the centre of everything good for the home side and after he had nut-megged Jamie Cade on the right flank, his cross found Rod Thornley, who lifted the ball over the on-rushing Scott Ward but wide of the post.
But the visitors handed a cruel blow to their hosts in first-half injury-time, finding Altrincham short at the back with a swift counter-attack. Simon Wormull raced down the right flank and crossed to Andy Lindegaard, who had a simple finish from eight yards.
As Altrincham pushed forward after the interval in desperate search of an equaliser, Burton almost capitalised on gaps left at the back but sent the ball wide when clean through.
And Altrincham soon punished Crawley for failing to take their chances when a Val Owen cross broke loose in the area and Cade gave away a penalty after bringing down Thornley in the ensuing scramble.
Colin Little made no mistake from the spot and despite a frantic finish in which both teams had chances to win it, the game ended in a draw.
Their best chance came when Daryl Clare seized on a poor back pass from Altrincham's Chris Adams. But after going clean through, the usually reliable goalscorer opted to square for strike partner Steve Burton, and Mark Maddox cleared comfortably for the home side.
Once Altrincham had come to terms with Crawley's high-tempo style they began to create some chances of their own.
Winger Colin Potts was at the centre of everything good for the home side and after he had nut-megged Jamie Cade on the right flank, his cross found Rod Thornley, who lifted the ball over the on-rushing Scott Ward but wide of the post.
But the visitors handed a cruel blow to their hosts in first-half injury-time, finding Altrincham short at the back with a swift counter-attack. Simon Wormull raced down the right flank and crossed to Andy Lindegaard, who had a simple finish from eight yards.
As Altrincham pushed forward after the interval in desperate search of an equaliser, Burton almost capitalised on gaps left at the back but sent the ball wide when clean through.
And Altrincham soon punished Crawley for failing to take their chances when a Val Owen cross broke loose in the area and Cade gave away a penalty after bringing down Thornley in the ensuing scramble.
Colin Little made no mistake from the spot and despite a frantic finish in which both teams had chances to win it, the game ended in a draw.