Crawley manager Francis Vines was left rueing two points lost after an individual error gifted Altrincham a second-half equaliser at Moss Lane.

As Jamie Cade stretched to clear a loose ball in the penalty area 20 minutes from time, he only succeeded in bringing down Altrincham striker Rod Thornley.

Colin Little gratefully accepted the chance to equalise from the spot, giving Vines plenty to consider after his side had wasted a string of good chances.

Vines said: "We controlled the game and an individual error cost us again.

"We had opportunities to capitalise on some great possession and for some reason we tried to walk it in rather than just get it in the box and try to finish it.

"I thought we had started to turn the corner and that we could come here and take all three points but you have got to finish your chances and if you don't then you don't deserve to win."

Despite a sodden pitch, the Reds displayed some slick passing movement and almost took an early lead.

But when Daryl Clare went clean through on goal, he strangely opted to square for strike-partner Steve Burton, allowing Mark Maddox to clear comfortably.

Altrincham had chances of their own, with both Thornley and Colin Potts firing wide from good positions, but the visitors handed a cruel blow to their hosts in first-half injury time.

Simon Wormull capitalised on sloppy defending to get to the corner and cross for Andy Lindegaard, who had a simple finish from eight yards.

As Altrincham pushed forward after the interval in desperate search of an equaliser, Crawley exploited the gaps they left at the back.

A long clearance from Scott Ward found Burton behind the defence but as Altrincham claimed offside he sent a delicate lob over Stuart Coburn and wide of a post.

But Reds' killer instinct was sadly lacking and during a frantic finish Altrincham themselves wasted several excellent chances to wrap the game up, leaving manager Graham Heathcote similarly disconsolate to his counterpart.

He said: "I'm viewing this as two points lost."

Crawley slipped back to second from bottom yesterday when Aldershot beat Burton Albion 2-1.

Crawley have released defender James Donovan to free up money for new players.

The 21-year-old joined from Millwall last March but only made one appearance this season, against Aldershot when he was sent off.

Donovan is the third player to leave in a week following the release of Lee Elam and the loan move of Danny Ekoku to Sutton.

Director of football Steve Duly said: "We have endured a difficult start to this season and have carried out a review of the resources available.

"Tough decisions are being made but these will free up money in the playing budget and allow us to be pro-active in our search to strengthen the squad once the transfer window re-opens."