STALYBRIDGE CELTIC 0 ALTRINCHAM 2

AFTER 12 league games without a win, Altrincham secured their first victory at Stalybridge – who are yet win on home turf.

But the Robins left it late with two goals inside the final five minutes.

Right-back Sam Patterson cut in from the right in the 86th minute before planting a fine left-foot shot past ex-Alty keeper Tony McMillan to give Altrincham the lead.

And deep into added time, Robins man of the match Greg Wilkinson netted against his former club.

With Altrincham winding down the clock near the corner flag, Wilkinson surged towards goal and, from near the by-line, fired a fierce, rising shot across the keeper into the far corner of the net.

It had been the hosts who had enjoyed the better of the game's early exchanges.

As early as the second minute a rasping 30-yarder from Celtic's Adam Mather only just cleared the bar.

It was not until the half-hour mark that Altrincham began to have a better spell.

First, James Lawrie headed a Patterson cross over the bar before the latter was halted on the by-line.

And, when Damian Reeves turned past Keil O'Brien and was bundled down in the box, he was unfortunate not to win a penalty.

On the stroke of half time Reeves had a shot blocked by McMillan at close range, to end what had been a generally scrappy first half on a high note.

Ten minutes after the interval it took a great stop from Tim Deasy to stop Aidan Chippendale's effort, but much of the play was scrappy before a late surge from Altrincham.

Substitute Phil Marsh, making his Alty league debut against one of his former clubs, won two successive corners.

Following these, Patterson cut in from the right past defender Danny Wisdom and fired home a strong, left-footed shot to make it 1-0.

Soon afterwards, Wilkinson saw a shot blocked on the line.

Then, in stoppage time, Wilkinson burst into the box to score and seal victory.

A lengthy stoppage for a bad leg injury to Celtic's Aaron Chalmers meant 10 minutes of added time was played before Altrincham celebrated their win.

ALTRINCHAM: Deasy, Patterson,Cyrus, Goodall, Doherty, Moult, Richman, Wilkinson, Lawrie, Miller, Reeves. Subs: Hobson, Heathcote, Cain, Joyce, Marsh.