[SOLVED] SQL Query Syntax

[virtuexru]

Probably a really stupid question, I'm trying to match two URLS to check for duplicates, keep getting an error, here is my code:

 

<?php

$id     = "6096899";
$lotch  = "http://web.website.com/cgi-bin/buyer/lotdetail.dtw/disp?lot=".$id;

// $lotch is the same as _alink in table, _alink is: "http://web.website.com/cgi-bin/buyer/lotdetail.dtw/disp?lot=6096899"

$query  = "SELECT * FROM vehicles WHERE $lotch = _alink";
$result = mysql_query($query) or die(mysql_error());

if(mysql_num_rows($result) > 0)
{
die("Duplicate");
}

?>

 

Error I'm getting:

 

You have an error in your SQL syntax; check the manual that corresponds to your MySQL server version for the right syntax to use near '://web.website.com/cgi-bin/buyer/lotdetail.dtw/disp?lot=19437148 = _alink' at line 1

[Mchl]

WHERE '$lotch' = _alink

 

String values must be quoted in MySQL queries