AFTER their defeat at league champions Chester FC, Altrincham got back into winning form with an excellent second-half performance at the Shay, despite the absence of James Lawrie with a sickness bug.

Although Altrincham had lost 5-2 to Halifax in the FA Trophy earlier this season, this was the first league clash of the season between the clubs.

And it looked like it was heading for another home win when former Witton Albion striker, Alex Titchener, who had come on as an early Halifax substitute, put his side ahead after 23 minutes.

But Altrincham raised their game and scored twice in seven minutes to take an unexpected lead.

The equaliser arrived after 33 minutes when an excellent passing move up the middle ended with Reeves scoring from close range from a Watmore feed. Alty scored again when Watmore got free and laid a goal on for Richman in the 40th minute.

Halifax, however, regained the lead with two goals in three minutes before half-time. First of all, McManus levelled after42 minutes with a low shot after Densmore had cleared an earlier chance off the line. Next, a poor back pass from Densmore led to Coburn opting to try and dribble the ball past Titchener.

But the Halifax man won the ball and scored into an empty net from an acute angle, to give his side a 3-2 half-time lead.

Matt Doughty came on at half time and Altrincham were to dominate the second 45 minutes, with Richman particularly impressing in midfield whilst Leather and Havern looked a solid partnership at the back.

The Robins made it 3-3 when Watmore laid on a second goal for Richman after 56 minutes. It got better when Damian Reeves netted a 69th minute goal, his 40th of the season, which proved to be the winner.

Halifax finally got forward to some effect in the closing stages but Alty rode out an excessive six minutes of injury time to consolidate a play-off position.

They now lie fourth in the table, but face a difficult trip to second-placed Guiseley on Thursday, followed by a home match against Bishoip's Stortford, fewer than 48 hours later on Saturday.

ALTRINCHAM: Coburn, Densmore (capt), Havern, Hall, Leather, Richman, Rodgers, Boshell, Clee, Watmore, Reeves. Subs: McMillan, Weatherby, Moult, Brooke, Doughty