Altrincham 1, Bradford City 1: Let battle commence. The phony war is now complete and the clock is ticking down to the real stuff when Norwich visit on Saturday.

City signed off pre-season last night at Altrincham's Moss Lane, the UniBond club where Dan Petrescu made his club debut three years ago.

There were no famous faces on display this time although Tom Kearney, given captain's duties, continued his comeback from the dreaded cruciate injury with another combative 90 minutes. The Canaries' midfield has been warned.

Luke Cornwall, Michael Standing and Frazer McHugh offered the only other experience in a team governed by teenagers. At 18, imposing new boy Peter Folkes was the oldest of a youthful but effective back four.

It was a lively encounter for the 300-strong crowd, which included Ashley Ward for a short time. The second half, in particular, was refreshingly free-flowing for a warm-up friendly.

City were nearly a goal up inside the first two minutes as Cornwall showed a glimpse of the speed that Nicky Law hopes will ruffle First Division feathers this season.

Altrincham keeper Richard Acton looked favourite to reach Luke Richardson's raking ball forward but Cornwall was on to it in a shot, getting a toe in and forcing a desperate block from the hassled home stopper.

Aaron O'Malley, in City's goal, dived bravely at the feet of Peter Band on the edge of the box after 17 minutes. But otherwise his young defence kept any threat on goal at arm's length with a hopeful 25-yarder from Barry Shuttleworth the only shot of note for the rest of the half.

But the game immediately came to life after the resumption with Shuttleworth's touch sending Rob Matthews away. As O'Malley narrowed the angle, the former Bury and Hull midfielder drilled into the side-netting.

Cornwall nearly got Kearney in on goal with a cheeky back-heel but City made their pressure count in the 55th minute when Kearney picked out Patrick Bannister on the left wing and the 18-year-old fired past Acton from the angle of the penalty area.

At that stage, most expected the visitors to push on for a comfortable victory. But Altrincham were thrown a lifeline by a generous penalty decision nine minutes later.

City, who had two better shouts turned down, were mystified when referee Phil Broadhurst pointed to the spot after Chris Adams fell theatrically under Sam Denton's challenge. The City defender had clearly not touched him and Altrincham's players seemed just as surprised.

But justice was done when O'Malley guessed right and dived to his left to push away Band's kick. Maybe the young keeper has a gift for it - he was the hero in the penalty shoot-out which won the youth team the Hamm tournament in Germany two months ago.

Substitute Tom Penford had a storming box-to-box run crudely cut down before Altrincham hit back five minutes from time as captain Mark Maddox powered home an Adams free-kick.

Three minutes later, they almost struck again as another Adams cross found two red shirts lurking at the back post but Band failed to make a proper connection.

Altrincham: Acton, Ryan, Adams, Maddox, Rose, Aspinall, Gallagher (Gardner 61), Matthews (Tunnicliffe 80), Band, Craney, Shuttleworth. Sub (not used): Lunt.

City: O'Malley, Denton, Richardson, Kearney (Doherty 85), Folkes, Wright, McHugh, Standing, Sanasy, Cornwall, Bannister (Penford 70). Subs (not used): Flynn, Thackeray, Swift.