ALTRINCHAM 0 GLOUCESTER CITY 1

GLOUCESTER City arrived at the J. Davidson Stadium having lost their previous six league games but they were to leave Moss Lane with a narrow win.

However, the Gladiators hardly endeared themselves to the home supporters with a masterclass in time wasting and spoiling tactics throughout the second half.

Altrincham were without four injured first-teamers, but had been in the game for the first half hour of the match before defensive dithering cost them.

The Robins made three failed attempts to clear the ball from the edge of their own area before Gloucester's Edward Williams knocked the ball to team-mate Joe Parker and he beat Tim Deasy with a rising shot in the 31st minute.

With Gloucester using every stoppage in the game to spin out time, goalkeeper Jasbir Singh was belatedly booked for time wasting after 73 minutes.

The visitors were also not averse to physical challenges, especially against the threatening Alty left-winger, Nicky Clee.

City defender Keiran Thomas picked up two yellow cards in the process, leaving his side with 10 men to negotiate the final seven minutes of normal time.

But, despite plenty of effort, Altrincham failed to create a clear sight of goal throughout the game until James Lawrie's stinging shot was beaten away by Singh in the last of five minutes of additional time.

Altrincham go into next Saturday's home match against Gainsborough Trinity still seeking their first home win of the league campaign.

ALTRINCHAM: Deasy, Heathcote, Cyrus, Hannigan, Brownhill, Moult, Jones, Newby, Clee, Reeves, Owens. Subs: McDonald, Lawrie, Wilkinson, McWilliams, Patterson.