IN the reverse fixture at Corby back in October, Alty were five-up at the interval and finally won 5-2.

Saturday's encounter was much closer and, but for a combination of the woodwork and Alty keeper Stuart Coburn, the Steelmen might have taken all of the points in this encounter on a heavy Moss Lane pitch.

All had seemed to be going well when, after 15 minutes, Damian Reeves scored from close range after Corby's keeper, Walker, was unable to hold a Shaun Densmore freekick. The ball had come at the keeper through a crowded penalty area.

But, nine minutes later, Alty allowed former Boston United winger Ryan Semple far too much room on the Corby right wing. His well-struck shot would probably have been halted by Coburn but for a deflection off the falling Jake Moult as the Alty midfielder tried to block the ball.

Having had to reorganise when Simon Richman picked up an injury which prompted his substitution by Scott Leather, the equaliser further knocked Alty out of their stride.

Indeed, as half-time approached it took a magnificent tip onto the crossbar from Coburn to keep put a Corby header and, moments later, the upright blocked another header, this time from Jason Crowe, the visitors' captain.

But, out of nothing, with the first half entering added time, Duncan Watmore picked the ball up inside his own half and raced into the visitors' box before scoring with a well-placed left- foot shot past Walker. It was a goal of much higher quality than the game itself.

However, Alty failed to build on their interval lead and the visitors more than held their own in a second half of largely disappointing play.

Neverthehless, the Robins extended their unbeaten run to eight games and they have now lost just once in their last eleven league outings. With Reeves already having scored 30 times this season, Watmore's goal took him into double figures as the Robins held onto fourth position and a current place in the promotion play-offs.

After a mid-week trip to a resurgent Histon, Alty are away at Workington next Saturday before a return to Moss Lane on February 23, to play against Colwyn Bay.