A GOAL conceded shortly after half-time undid what had been an excellent performance in Altrincham's 2-0 defeat at high-flying Woking on Tuesday night.

With Altrincham obliged by the Conference fixtures schedule to make a 400-mile round trip for a Tuesday night match in Surrey, it was perhaps unsurprising that it was high-flying hosts, Woking, who made the better start. Early on, Alty keeper Coburn had to make a goal-line save before The Cards' Goddard spooned a good chance over the bar after excellent work from ex-Football League veteran Kevin Betsey.

But then Altrincham grew into the game and created chances of their own.

Ryan Crowther, whose seasonto date has been blighted by injury and illness, was influential on the left. Indeed, the visitors even had the ball in the net after 33 minutes when defender Tom Marshall, who had a fine game, converted a Shaun Densmore freekick but referee Powell diallowed the goal for a foul.

Woking started the second half strongly. Having won a corner on the left they took the lead from a scrappy finish by Marriott, just three minutes into the half.

Nevertheless, Altrincham continued to compete before they conceded a second goal in the 64th minute. The ball was played from the Woking left to the unmarked Scott Rendell in the inside-right slot. The experienced frontman placed a firm, low shot past Coburn from the edge of the box.

Although Woking now had a firm grip on the game, Altrincham still created some chances of their own. Perhaps the best came, following a feed from substitute Sean Williams, when Jake Moult delivered an excellent cross but Damian Reeves's header cleared the bar.

And, late in the game, a slick Altrincham move ended with a Simon Richman shot which rose over the bar but the final whistle came with the Robins unable to get on the scoresheet.

Nevertheless, against a team firmly in the promotion play-off places, Altrincham had given a good account of themselves before facing the long trek home and a day's work at their non-footballing jobs.

ALTRINCHAM Coburn, Densmore (c), Havern, Marshall, Griffin, Cavanagh (Williams 75), Moult, Richman, Crowther (Pwerry 70), Lawrie (Gillespie 46), Reeves. Unused subs: Parton, Wilkinson

Footnote: In the FA Trophy, Altrincham have been drawn at home to long-term rivals Macclesfield Town. The game will be at the J. Davidson Stadium on Saturday, 13 December (3pm).