LEE Sinnott saluted another Altrincham performance full of character as they made it 10 points out of 15 with a hard-fought 1-0 Vanarama Conference win over Braintree at the J.Davidson Stadium on Saturday.

A reshaped defence, with Scott Leather switched to left-back in place of the suspended Adam Griffin, and Tom Marshall drafted into the centre, withstood a late barrage after Nicky Clee fired Alty into a first-half lead.

"I was delighted with the players," said Alty boss Sinnott. "I thought we played some of our football in pockets, perhaps not as much as we would like, but I couldn’t fault them for effort, desire, commitment, all those big words people come out with.

"We went ahead with a very well executed goal, and then, without sitting back, we defended really well.

"We are not a team who consciously sit back and defend a lead, but we defended when we had to, which was pleasing.

"I thought Scott Leather did really well at left-back, and Tom Marshall stepped in and did the job required. In fact, if you look across the back four, I don’t think we missed many headers all day, so I was pleased with them all.

"Jake Moult keeps putting in performances in midfield as well. He has come a long way since the opening game of the season at Aldershot, when he didn’t figure in the 16, and that is exactly the reaction you want.

"He has made it difficult to be left out and added real consistency to his game.

"I still think we are a little bit leggy, so it’s good that we now have a second clear week, so we can prepare for next Saturday."

The focus switches to the FA Cup on Saturday, with a fourth qualifying round tie at Barwell and Sinnott underlined the approach he expects from his players after last season’s disappointing exit at Trafford.

"It doesn’t matter whether we are playing the Conference leaders or a team three divisions below us, our approach will be exactly the same," he said. "Our opponents on Saturday will get 100 per cent respect from us.

"It could be Barwell or Barnet, it makes no difference.

"We have had Barwell watched more than once since the draw, and we know we have

to make sure our desire is greater than theirs."