ALTRINCHAM'S fourth home defeat this season to a club in the bottom five losing 2-1 to AFC Telford came after the team had assured itself of survival in the top-flight of non-League football a couple of weeks ago.

So, it was not gloom and despondency after the final whistle as the season overall has exceeded many pundits' expectations.

But, as a performance, this match was once again disappointing as Alty slipped to a third successive defeat.

In mitigation, the Robins were without the energy of injured captain Shaun Densmore and the suspended midfield duo of Peter Cavanagh and Jake Moult.

Telford, already relegated before kick off, played with the greater freedom but it was arguably against the run of play that they took a 39th minute lead.

The Bucks' Tony Gray played a one-two with a team mate, as he advanced into the centre of the box. And the returned ball left Gray in space to slot home a goal which left Dave Parton with no chance in the Altrincham net.

The visitors went 2-0 up after 53 minutes.

In keeping with the general tenor of the game, the goal arrived in unintended fashion.

Sam Smith's long-range shot was flying well of target before it came to the unmarked Adam Farrell. He had been left in space by the Alty defence and the visitors' prolific scorer drove the ball into the net.

Altrincham made three changes as the second half developed. And the arrival from the bench of Ryan Crowther, in particular, improved Altrincham's attacking dimension.

First of all, a foul on the left-winger by Byrne allowed Jordan Sinnott to smash an excellent freekick against the inside of the post.

But it was not till the 82nd minute that Altrincham finally scored. A deep cross, from centre-back Tom Marshall, was nodded back across goal by Kyle Perry and Nicky Clee, Alty's liveliest player, scored with a well-struck volley.

Crowther continued to torment Telford and seemed to have won a last-gasp penalty when he was upended in the box but the referee judged otherwise.

Despite their late rally, and the introduction of speedy debutant Joel Swift, Altrincham were unable to rescue a point from the game.

Their last game of the season is away at Braintree Town on Saturday.

After the match Jake Moult was named as Players' Player of the Season while Tom Marshall lifted the Supporters' award.

ALTRINCHAM: Parton, Leather, Havern (c), Marshall, Griffin, Sinnott, Richman (Crowther 71), Williams, Lawrie (Perry 58), Clee, Reeves (Swift

76). Unused subs: Gillespie, Samberg