Southport 2 Altrincham 1

HAIG Avenue has proved an unlucky venue for Altrincham in recent years and so it proved, once again, as Alty took on previously winless Southport. The Robins had the better of this game only to lose to an injury time header.

Altrincham, without captain Shaun Densmore, the skilful Nicky Clee and influential midfielder Peter Cavanagh, nevertheless started the game much more brightly than their hosts. But they failed to press home their advantage and fell behind, against the run of play, in the 20th minute.

A Southport corner was only half cleared and, when the ball came back into the box, Marsden's shot came back off the post for Brodie to stab home the opening goal.

Former Bristol Rovers striker Steven Gillespie scored an equaliser for Alty in the 61st minute. The goal came from a croner, taken on the right by the busy Adam Griffin, and Gillespie scored with a firm shot at the back post.

As the game went through its final quarter, Altrincham looked the more likely winners, with Shaun Williams influential in the midfield. But Alty were caught on the hop when referee Evans penalised Griffin for taking his throw in the wrong place. Port immediately got forward and won a freekick, on the right wing, from which they scored. Gorman's free kick was headed home by defender Foster to ruin Altrincham's afternoon.

The Robins face a trip to winless Nuneaton next Saturday.

Altrincham: Coburn, Leather, Marshall, Havern (capt), Griffin, Richman, Moult, S. Williams, Crowther, Gillespie, Reeves. Subs: Lawrie, King, Parton, Wilkinson and Perry