ALTRINCHAM extended their successful recent run to six wins and two draws in their last nine games in national league and cup competitions with an impressive 2-1 home victory over Torquay United at the J. Davidson Stadiumon Saturday.

The Robins were without influential midfielder Peter Cavanagh but forward James Lawrie had recovered from injury to be named on the bench.

The opening half hour was entertaining and fairly even with play switching from end to end. Alty captain Shaun Densmore was proving a threat as he broke forward repeatedly from his right-back berth and his side took the lead in the 37th minute when Ryan Crowther played the ball into the box from the inside-right position and striker Damian Reeves reacted instinctively to loop a clever header over stranded Gulls' keeper Jordan Seabright.

Altrincham dominated the opening stages of the second half, keeping Torquay on the back foot and got their reward when a fierce shot from 20 yards by Reeves was beaten out by Seabright only for Crowther to drive the loose ball into the net to give his side a two-goal advantage.

However what looked likely to be a comfortable win was transformed, just four minutes later, when Torquay substitute, Louis Briscoe blasted a 30-yard piledriver into the net. However, Altrincham kept Torquay comfortably at bay, despite having lost their Densmore, through injury.

But, with three minutes of normal time remaining, plus what was to prove to be five added minutes of play, referee Johnson controversially reduced Altrincham to 10 men. Midfielder Sean Williams, who had been booked in the 76th minute, went down under what appeared to be a trip by an opponent. But the referee, Ryan Johnson, judged it otherwise and showed the Altrincham midfielder a second yellow and then a red card.

The win lifts Altrincham to 14th, their highest position of the season.

Altrincham: Coburn, Densmore (capt)(Leather 64), Havern, Marshall, Griffin, Moult, Richman, Williams, Crowther (Lawrie 82), Clee (Perry 88), Reeves. Unused subs: Parton, Gillespie.