LEE Sinnott expressed his pride at further evidence of Altrincham’s impact on the Vanarama Conference after they went desperately close to denting Bristol Rovers’ promotion challenge at a packed Memorial Stadium.

Alty were unfortunate to concede just before half-time, after looking the better side, and were out of luck again when a marginal offside decision cost Damian Reeves an equaliser from a late Jordan Sinnott cross.

"We were in it for the entire game, which was pleasing, because we knew what we were walking into," said Alty boss Sinnott. ‘Bristol are very much a team used to picking up points, and they play at one of the biggest grounds in the league in front of one of the biggest crowds.

"That can either inspire you or make you wilt, and I was extremely proud of the players that they had the steel to step out in front of nearly 7,000 and show what they are about.

"I hate losing, but I couldn’t help feeling proud of the way we went into an atmosphere like that and, particularly for the first 45 minutes, played the sort of football we wanted to.

"It’s just disappointing we didn’t have something to show for it, and again it was down to fine margins. The flag went up straightaway for Reevesie, but there can’t have been much in it, and then he was the length of a toe away from finishing off another cross right at the end.

"We switched off at a corner for their goal, which was disappointing, but really we didn’t want half-time to come, we were playing that well.

Then, after 15-20 minutes of misplaced passes from both sides at the start of the second half, we picked it up again and pushed them all the way, right up to the 94th minute."

Alty face leaders Barnet at The J.Davidson Stadium on Saturday, and Sinnott added: "Every game is hard in this league, but it is important now that we build on the confidence we have been showing. I think our football surprised the Bristol public a bit. We must keep that going."