ON A bitterly cold afternoon, Alty were making their last-ever visit to Worcester's historic St George's Lane ground, which has been sold to developers.

The Robins had already visited Worcester earlier this season when three goals in six first-half minutes ensured a convincing win for Altrincham in the FA Trophy.

With the sides occupying sixth and seventh places in the table at kick off, this league encounter promised to be a tighter affair.

And, it certainly proved so. The outcome was the first goalless draw in an Altrincham match since February 2010, when the Robins had drawn a blank with York City at Moss Lane.

The first half was a very disappointing affair, in which Alty's Stuart Coburn was the busier keeper, his best save coming five minutes before the interval when a cross from the left by Mills appeared to be drifiting inside the back post of the net before the keeper's agile intervention.

For their part Altrincham scarcely threatened up front until the second half.

The Robins started the second half with more attacking intent and, when Nicky Clee limped off to be replaced by Duncan Watmore, the teenager increased the pressure on the City defence. But the nearest Alty came to a goal was when Danny Hall's header, following a corner, was flicked on towards goal by Damian Reeves, but blocked on the line.

In the closing stages Reeves also tested keeper Thompson with a rasping shot after collecting the ball and turning smartly past his marker.

So, the two play-off contenders had to share the points, an outcome which lifted them both up a place, with Alty returning to the final play-off spot.

On the plus side, the clean sheet was the second in a row for Altrincham's defence, a double that the team had not achieved for more than two years.

ALTRINCHAM: Coburn; Densmore (capt), Havern, Hall, Leather; Richman, Moult, Rodgers, Clee (Watmore 53); Sinnott (Doughty 89); Reeves. Subs: Reid, Doughty, Lacey, Brooke, Watmore