Nuneaton Town 2 Altrincham 1

FOR the third successive game, Altrincham lost by a single-goal margin.

Just as at Southport, the previous Saturday, the Robins had started the game in distinctly better form than their misfiring and lower-placed opponents. Indeed, Nuneaton had come into the game without a single goal in their five previous matches this season.

But, despite the attacking intent of Nicky Clee and Steven Gillespie being restored to the starting eleven, Altrincham failed to convert their superior approach play into anything resembling a goal. And, in a moderate breeze, they curiously struggled to deal with a moderate breeze, overhitting long passes and firing shots over the opposition crossbar with disappointing regularity.

Then, again, as at Southport, the under-pressure opposition opened the scoring. The goal came in the 35th minute when defender Starosta got up the right flank and his curling cross was headed firmly home by Andy Brown, who had returned to the home line-up after injury.

Nuneaton doubled their lead midway through the second half. It came after Altrincham had failed to clear the ball from their own penalty area. Substitute Adam Walker was allowed to cut in from the left and, from his advance, the ball fell for Jack Dyer to place a low shot into the left-hand corner of Parton's goal from just outside the box.

Altrincham deployed Crowther, Perry and Moult as substitutes and it was two of them who conspired to lay on a late goal for Damian Reeves in the 87th minute. Crowther fed Perry and his pass set Reeves free inside the goalmouth, from where he finished with a firm shot. But, despite some seven minutes of added time, largely caused by Nuneaton timewasting, Altrincham could not find an equaliser.

Next up is a home match against Dartford on Saturday (3pm).

Altrincham: Parton, Leather, Marshall, Havern, Griffin, Richman, S. Williams, Cavanagh (capt), Clee, Gillespie, Reeves. Subs: Coburn, Moult, King, Crowther, Perry.