IN their attempt to attain Conference survival, Altrincham FC have received a double defensive boost.

Inspirational defenders Danny Adams and Paul Ellender have committed their future to the Moss Lane club.

Adams, Altrincham born and bred, turned down a lucrative move to Telford United to stay at the club, whilst Ellender, despite interest from many football league clubs, also wishes to stay at Altrincham.

Manager Bernard Taylor recognises the value of both players, and, speaking exclusively to SAM sport earlier this week, he revealed that he was going to "renew both players' contracts, sooner rather than later."

"It says something about the club when two superb players such as these are this eager to stay," he added. "Danny does not want to leave the club, even after he was approached by Telford, and Paul feels the same way."

Ellender missed Saturday's draw against Morecambe, after he received a one-match suspension, for an accumulation of yellow cards.

The point won against Morecambe takes the Robins to fifteenth in the table, with 20 points from 16 games.

However, the climb up the table is a little slow for a born winner like Taylor, who had this to say about Saturday's game.

"I was disappointed not to win the match. I thought we had done enough to get the full three points.

"I haven't seen us play that well for a while," he added.

The turning point in the match for Robins was undoubtedly the forced removal of Brendan Burke. The striker, who was enjoying the best game of his Alty career so far, was suffering from concussion after a hefty collision with Morecambe skipper Dave McKearney.

The decision to take him off raised a few eyebrows in the stands but Taylor insists there was no other option.

"Really, Brendan should not have come on for the second half, but he did. Unfortunately, for all of us, his condition worsened, and he had to come off, as his headache was getting worse.

"We seemed to lose our shape after that, and within twenty minutes it was all square at 2-2."

Taylor went on to say, "Brendan, and myself, are pleased that the crowd have been patient with him. He hasn't had the best start to his Alty career, but hopefully, we saw a little of the real Brendan Burke on Saturday."

Another casualty from Saturday's epic battle is Phil Power, who limped his way through most of the second half, before being substituted late in the game.

Until fitness tests later this week, it is not known whether Power, Burke or Keith Russell, who was sporting a bandaged right hand, will be fit for Saturday's home FA Trophy tie against Gateshead.

The only long-term injury worry at the moment is goalkeeper Stuart Coburn, who will not play again this century.

His knee trouble will keep him out of action for two months.

However, in Dean Greygoose, Alty have a more than capable replacement.

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