ANOTHER defeat may have brought relegation a step nearer, but there was at least some positive news for Altrincham supporters at The J.Davidson Stadium on Saturday after midfield prospect Laurence Taylor and free-scoring forward Sean Miller agreed to remain beyond the current campaign.

Versatile Miller, who has scored 10 goals from 19 starts and five substitute appearances this season, and 20-year old Taylor, a revelation since breaking into the side recently and deservedly voted man of the match on his full league debut against Gainsborough Trinity, have both signed contracts until the end of next season.

The news was welcomed by assistant-manager Robbie Lawton, though he could not hide his disappointment at the way Alty conceded twice inside the opening 10 minutes against Gainsborough and went further behind before launching a late fightback in a 3-2 defeat.

"It was a shocking start," he said.

"The back four and defensive players never did their jobs, but I don't include Laurence Taylor in that.

"He was fantastic again and was rightly named man of the match.

"If we don't address those defensive lapses, the next three games (Chorley, Brackley and Fylde all away) could be extremely challenging, to say the least.

"The galling thing is, and it does anger me, Gainsborough get near our box three or four times in the game and score three goals. That's totally unacceptable.

"We take responsibility as a management team, because we sign the players and put them out there.

"But it has been a revolving door of managers, and they can't all have it wrong, so perhaps the players have to put their hand up and say they're not good enough or should be doing more.

"But we have tied two up for next season, and we are delighted with that.

"Sean has proved a good signing. He has been a key player and looked the most dangerous we've got in my time here and we have missed him while he's been out injured.

"Laurence looks the part as well, and everyone connected with the club should be delighted those two are staying."