ALTRINCHAM, without suspended captain Shaun Densmore and midifelder Carl Rodgers (injured), gave a very good account of themselves against League Two promotion candidates Burton Albion in this FA Cup first round replay at Moss Lane, last night.

In an end to end first half, transmitted live by the cameras of ESPN, it was Altrincham who should have gone ahead.

They spurned two gilt-edged chances when, first Damian Reeves and, then Jake Moult, lifted shots over the bar which should certainly have tested, if not beaten, Albion keeper, Mark Oxley.

And just before the break the impressive Duncan Watmore also cleared the crossbar with a more difficult chance, as he drifted across the Burton penalty area.

It was hard to tell which was the full-time professional team and which was the part-time outfit.

The second half was still an even affair until Simon Richman was penalised more than 25 yards from his own goal.

From left of centre Chris Palmer's free kick evaded both the wall and keeper Coburn to give the Brewers the lead on 65 minutes.

The match was wrapped up 11 minutes later when Taylor was allowed to advance up the left, despite seeming to be offside.

Though he fluffed his cross, Alty defender Luca Havern lost his footing, leaving Burton's giant striker, Calvin Zola with an easy job of scoring from close range.

After that, Altrincham lost some of their impetus and the visitors rode out the remainder of the game with few real alarms.

Despite their defeat Altrincham had done themselves proud in front of 2,428 spectators and a national television audience.

They must now dust themselves off for a league game at Moss Lane against bottom club Hinckley United, little more than 36 hours after the conclusion of this game, on Saturday afternoon.

ALTRINCHAM: Coburn, Leather, Havern, Hall (capt), Doughty, Watmore, Richman, Moult, Clee, Lawrie, Reeves. Subs: Reid, Lacey, Brooke, Mitchley, Grimshaw