A FOURTH successive league victory last Saturday saw Altrincham climb to 14th and just four points off sixth spot.

After their disappointing exit from the FA Trophy a fortnight ago and a blank weekend due to snow, Altrincham returned to Conference league action with this narrow victory over 18th-placed Aldershot Town.

The Hampshire side had outclassed Alty on the opening day of the season, winning 3-1, but it was a measure of Altrincham's progress this season that they deservedly exacted revenge in this return fixture.

However, on a raw afternoon at the J. Davidson Stadium this was rarely a game to set the pulse racing.

In a goalless first half Aldershot almost went ahead after 24 minutes. The opportunity arose after Alty had given the ball away to Aldershot's Saunders in midfield.

The ball came to Roberts who saw his shot crash off the underside of the Alty bar and run to safety.

Eight minutes later, Altrincham thought they had taken the lead when a fine cross from the left from Ryan Crowther was expertly headed home by Damian Reeves only for it to be ruled out for offside.

Altrincham brought on forwards James Lawrie and Kyle Perry and it was Lawrie who was credited with the breakthrough in the 73rd minute following the second of two successive corners.

He was adjudged to have diverted the ball into the net after a goalmouth scramble, although Aldershot's reaction suggested it may have been an own goal.

With eight minutes remaining, Aldershot made a triple substitution and it almost paid off.

With just over a minute of normal time remaining, one of the subs, Josh Scott, forced a magnificent one-handed save from Stuart Coburn in the Alty goal.

Altrincham position is a testament to the fine job being done by manager Lee Sinnott and assistant Neil Tolson who have a squad of just 17 first-team players, none of whom cost a transfer fee.

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