ALTRINCHAM had an unwelcome start to life in the Evo-Stik Premier Division with a 3-0 home defeat against Stafford Rangers.

Despite two successive relegations, the appointment of new manager Phil Parkinson and some encouraging pre-season performances had prompted a degree of optimism for the new season.

But the opening fixture was a rude awakening for management and supporters alike.

Despite Altrincham enjoying the lion's share of the ball, particularly in the first half, and dominating the corner count, Rangers proved to be the more capable defenders and finishers, albeit from a limited number of chances.

With Alty right-winger John Johnston a constant thorn in Rangers' side, his team nevertheless found themselves two-down by the interval.

Stafford took the lead against the run of play in the 10th minute.

Louis Briscoe threaded the ball through to Dan Westwood who fired a low shot past keeper Tim Deasy.

Stafford managed to weather continuing Alty pressure, despite conceding numerous corners.

And the visitors doubled their lead just before the interval, when Joe Thomas scored a fine volleyed goal from just outside the box.

The game was effectively over seven minutes after the break when Stafford showed Alty how to score from a corner.

One of their smaller players, Richard Batchelor, headed home unchallenged to make it 3-0.

Alty huffed and puffed but never looked like retrieving the game.

However, after 86 minutes, substitute Tom Peers won a penalty when keeper Adam Whitehouse upended him.

But, in keeping with a disappointing afternoon, captain Jake Moult saw his spot-kick saved low to the keeper's left.

Alty's cause had not been helped by the absences through injury, illness and suspension of Josh Amis, Sean Miller, John Disney and James Poole but they will need a significant improvement in performances.

ALTRINCHAM: Deasy, Densmore, Short, Hannigan, Harrison, Moult, Johnston, Richman, Hulme, Sheridan and Hancock. Subs: Taylor, Peers, Harrop, Lynch and Thompson.