A SCOTT Davies wondergoal denied Alty a share of the spoils against league leaders Aldershot.
Despite an impressive performance that had actually seen them take an early lead through Colin Little, the Robins were unable to hold out for a deserved point.
But while they may not have come away with a welcome point, the performance will give manager Graham Heathcote much to be positive about as they chase Blue Square Premier survival, especially after two straight league defeats.
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Surprisingly, Alty settled the better of the two sides and went close early on as Chris Senior's 20-yard effort was grasped by Shots keeper Nikki Bull at the second attempt.
But the home side didn't heed that early warning and they fell behind after 14 minutes.
Ryan Shotton's long throw - which has become a reliable weapon in the final third - evaded everyone in the box but Little, who fired a smart finish low into the corner of the net.
It might even have been 2-0 just four minutes later but Senior's effort was deflected narrowly wide of the post.
That proved to be a decisive moment as, spurred into action, Aldershot equalised against the run of play.
The impressive Junior Mendes got in a cross from the left and Anthony Charles popped up in the area to volley home.
Alty continued to threaten though and were unlucky not to go back in front on a couple of occasions, first when Little's rasping shot was blocked by Rob Gier and then when Warren Peyton fired over the bar.
Aldershot were a different side after the break though and put Alty under some serious pressure early in the second half.
Former Robins midfielder Lewis Chalmers glanced a header wide of the post from Mendes' cross, while Kirk Hudson's effort cleared the bar.
The turning point came on the hour mark. Senior looked odds on to score when he received Little's cross inside the six-yard box but Bull made an absolutely outstanding stop to turn his shot away - it was clear this wasn't going to be Alty's day.
That was confirmed seven minutes later when Davies, following up on his goalkeeper's heroics, stepped up to fire an unstoppable free kick into the top corner of the net from 30 yards. Game over.
Alty fought hard to claw themselves back into the game but despite their best efforts, the Shots' defence held firm. They deserved better.
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