ALTRINCHAM put in a brave display at AFC Telford United but were denied a share of the spoils late on in Shropshire.

Despite having much the better of the game, Alty were left empty-handed when a huge deflection off Telford's David Hibbert took Joel Dielna's shot past Altrincham debutant keeper Stuart Tomlinson in the 87th minute.

Before that Altrincham had failed to convert half a dozen presentable chances.

Amongst the best opportunities for the Robins arrived when Micah Evans could not get a strong enough touch on John Cyrus's knock-down and keeper Callum Burton was able to push the ball to safety, virtually along his goal-line.

Midfielder Simon Richman also had an effort blocked on the line and both he and Elliott Newby put shots wide when presented with a good sight of goal in the second half.

For their part, Telford rarely troubled Alty's new keeper, Tomlinson, who has returned to football after a foray into professional wrestling.

He was playing after regular stopper Tim Deasy became the latest man to join Alty's long casualty list, along with midfielder Kyle Brownhill, likewise injured in midweek at Darlington.

And the Alty injury list lengthened further when left-back Nicky Clee was unable to play on after half time.

The Robins now have just 10 games left to salvage some pride from a season which has produced just two National League North wins to date.

On Saturday, Altrincham have their third successive away game when they travel to former league outfit Boston United.

ALTRINCHAM: Tomlinson, Lynch, Clee, Heathcote, Cyrus, Taylor, Newby, Richman, Evans, Lawrie, G Jones. Subs: McWilliams, Goodall, Owens, Patteson and A Jones.