ALTRINCHAM advanced into the last 16 of the FA Trophy, non-League's most prestigious cup competion, with a hard-earned away win at Conference promotion contenders Kidderminster Harriers.

Alty had crashed 4-0 at Aggborough in the league match between these sides earlier in the season but a repeat of that score was never on the cards on a bitterly cold and blustery afternoon in Worcestershire.

With the Kidderminster pitch heavily used by both the Harriers and their tenants, Worcester City, the game had to survive a morning pitch inspection before it could go ahead.

Whilst the hosts had three players cup-tied, Altrincham were themselves without the injured influential midfielder Peter Cavanagh and forward James Lawrie.

After a fairly even opening period, in which Asante had forced a smart save from Alty's Stuart Coburn and Damian Reeves's header had forced home goalkeeper Lewis to concede a corner, the visitors seized a 20th-minute lead.

A long clearance led to Reeves getting free and smashing a fine shot into the net across the keeper, from right of goal.

With two minutes of normal time remaining before the interval, Jack Byrne dribbled into the Altrincham box and won a penalty for the hosts.

However, Harriers' captain, Craig Reid, blasted his spot kick high over the bar, leaving the visitors with a half-time lead.

After the interval Kidderminster upped their tempo and forced a series of magnificent saves from Coburn in the Altrincham goal. In his 671st game for the club, the 38 year-old goalkeeper denied goal-bound efforts from Reffell, Asante and Nicholson. And his fellow defenders worked manfully to keep Kidderminster out, aided in their task by some wayward finishing from the home team.

Altrincham saw out five minutes of added time to secure their clean sheet and to progress in a competition which ends with a showpiece final at Wembley in March.

Altrincham return to Vanarama Conference league action on Saturday when Torquay United are the visitors to the J. Davidson Stadium.

Meanwhile, Alty's progress in the FA Trophy means that their away league derby match at Macclesfield Town on 24 January has been postponed.

Altrincham: Coburn, Densmore (capt), Havern, Marshall, Griffin, Moult, Richman, Williams, Crowther, Clee, Reeves. Subs: Parton, Gillespie, Leather, Swift and Perry.