ALRTRINCHAM gained revenge for a home defeat by Welling earlier this season with a narrow victory in front of the BT Sport cameras.

A low shot from substitute Ryan Crowther late in the second half was enough to earn Altrincham all three points in Kent.

The Robins were without the suspended Tom Marshall and the injured Nicky Clee, while both sides were hampered by a bobbly pitch that made fluent, passing football a problem.

However, Altrincham started quite brightly without seriously troubling the home opposition keeper.

At the other end, Stuart Coburn, making his record 679th appearance in the Alty goal, was called into action, making two important stops to deny Welling striker Jason Williams.

The visitors were also grateful to see Reece Harris lose control of the ball with a heavy touch after being clear of the Altrincham back-line.

Alty made an early change after a goalless first half, as Peter Cavanagh came on in place of Simon Richman in midfield.

It was a dismissal rather than a new arrival that turned the match, however, when Welling captain Joe Healy was sent off for a reckless challenge on James Lawrie.

Altrincham were slow to take advantage of their one-man advantage until Crowther drove home from the edge of the box with 14 minutes to play.

After that, the visitors kept the ball impressively and Welling caused few problems until added time.

A late free-kick saw the home keeper go upfield and twice head the ball in a melee in the Altrincham box.

But the Robins saw out the game to lift themselves to 13th, their highest position of the season.

Lee Sinnott's side have two more trips to Kent this month, but next up is a home match, with Wrexham the visitors to the J. Davidson Stadium on Saturday, kick off 3pm.

ALTRINCHAM: Coburn, Densmore (capt), Havern, Leather, Griffin, Sinnott (Crowther 69), Richman (Cavanagh 51), Moult, Lawrie, Perry, Reeves (Williams 85). Unused subs: Parton, Gillespie