IT was a Good Friday for Altrincham as a 2-0 victory against Southport ensured their place in the top flight of the Vanarama Conference.

But they did not have it all their own way as Southport almost took a third-minute lead when Richard Brodie's fierce 30-yard shot beat goalkeeper Stuart Coburn but came back off the underside of the bar.

After that, however, it was Altrincham's experienced goalkeeper who was to subdue the visitors' strikers. By the 32nd minute he had made four fine stops, including a magnificent double save to keep the game goalless.

Against the run of play Nicky Clee fired Alty ahead, just eight minutes before the interval.

His angled shot from left of goal finished off an impressive move initiated by Tom Marshall and also involving James Lawrie.

Alty doubled their lead in the 71st minute. The visitors' captain, Luke George, was booked for the 14th time this season for a challenge on Clee.

From wide left of goal, Sinnott's well-struck free-kick flew across the keeper into the far corner of the net to wrap up the points for Altrincham.

Using only 20 players this season, Lee Sinnott and Neil Tolson have worked wonders with their part-time squad in a largely full-time league.

Meanwhile on Monday, Gateshead completed a 1-0 double over Altrincham in this disappointing game, on a poor pitch at the International Stadium.

Altrincham were without captain Shaun Densmore and midfielder Sean Williams, both injured, whilst goalkeeper Stuart Coburn gave way to his understudy Dave Parton.

Neither side created much in the way of goalmouth action before the deciding goal of the match arrived in the 40th minute.

It came out of nothing and was scored by former Altrincham trialist Michael Rankine. He was allowed space to turn and drive a low shot past Parton from the edge of the penalty area.

The result left Altrincham 14th in the table ahead of a long trip to Torquay United next Saturday.

Altrincham's final home game of a successful season back in the top flight of non-League football is on Saturday, 18 April, when relegated AFC Telford United are the visitors to the J. Davidson Stadium (3pm).

ALTRINCHAM: Coburn, Leather, Havern (c), Marshall, Griffin, Moult, Williams, Sinnott, Lawrie, Clee, Reeves. Subs Richman, Perry, Parton, Crowther, Gillespie