BOSTON United prevented Altrincham from scoring in a home league match for the first time this season on Tuesday night, but the manner of doing so won them few friends.

The visitors' first foul arived straight from the kick-off and, in just the fifth minute, they should have been reduced to ten men when their last defender, former Alty loanee Carl Piergianni, pulled down the advancing James Walshaw.

Piergianni, no stranger to the red card, only saw yellow and went on to escape further punishment despite several further offences, including hauling back Damian Reeves in the second half.

Just two minutes after the foul on Walshaw, Boston's Aujla scythed down Nicky Clee with a late challenge. The Boston man was cautioned but he, too, was lucky to stay on the field in the second half after a further foul.

Clee, who had just been named the league's player of the month, was able to resume after lengthy treatment but lasted less than half an hour longer before having to come off.

Given the visitors' approach, it was not surprising, therefore, that it took Altrincham some time to establish an attacking rhythm in this game.

At the other end, when they went forward, Boston carried a threat and, after 32 minutes when Miller got free on the right, his shot forced a full-length save from Alty goalkeeper, Coburn.

For their part Altrincham failed to capitalise on the numerous free kicks and, when they created openimgs, they wasted them with generally off-target shooting.

Fortunately, a heavy defeat for AFC Telford United and a draw between Alty's other rivals Hednesford Town and Brackley meant that the dropped points for Altrincham were not as costly as they might have been.

The Robins remain well placed for at least a play-off position.