Altrincham 0 Gateshead 1

ALTRINCHAM'S Bank Holiday weekend quest for points proved to be fruitless as they lost narrowly for the second time in 48 hours. Gateshead arrived on the back of a 1-6 home defeat by Grimsby but Alty rarely threatened to breach their defences.

Manager Lee Sinnott gave goalkeeper David Parton a debut, and midfielder Peter Cavanagh returned after missing Saturday's match. The Robins were again without injured captain Shaun Densmore as well as the influential Nicky Clee.

Although Gateshead displayed admirable discipline in passing the ball about for significant periods, there was little in the way of goalmouth incident to animate the spectators in the first half.

But Gateshead took a deserved lead in the 44th minute. Former Alty loanee defender, Andrai Jones got forward on the right and fed Gateshead's

Maddison, who is being linked with a move to Peterborough United. His cross from the right was met by Chandler's header which went into the net off the framework of the goal.

The nearest Alty came to a second-half leveller was a fierce shot from Sean Williams, which the keeper tipped over the bar. Very late on, a Reeves header also tested the visitors' goalkeeper. But, despite finishing the game with three strikers on the pitch, following the introduction of Gillespie and Perry to join Reeves, there was to be no happy ending for the Robins.

Alty also picked up five bookings in a game which was never really indisciplined.

The Robins travel to bottom club Nuneaton Borough for their next game, on Saturday. As usual, a supporters' coach is being run. Details are available from the club on 0161 928-1045 or at altrinchamfc.com.

Altrincham: Parton; Leather, Havern, Marshall, Griffin, Cavanagh, Richman,

Moult, S. Williams, Lawrie, Reeves. Subs: Coburn, Perry, Gillespie, King, Wilkinson.