THE countdown to the new campaign is officially underway for Altrincham after a goalless draw Lee Sinnott described as a useful workout at Abbey Hey on Tuesday night.

A highly competitive Abbey Hey side had the better of a low-key first half, but a completely changed Alty line-up bossed the second 45 minutes and went closest to scoring when James Lawrie hit the post late on.

Alty step up their preparations at Bamber Bridge on Saturday, and manager Sinnott said: "It was a strange result, because you don’t get many 0-0s in pre-season games, but there were chances at both ends.

"We had four or five opportunities to score.

"Overall it was a useful exercise that certainly served its purpose.

"If you think you’re going to be at the level you need to be first time out, you are deluding yourself.

"It’s about getting minutes under your belt and getting into game mode, and the players will feel the benefit

of that.

"There was a little bit of rustiness, but that is only to be expected.

"We were able to try a few different things and look at one or two players in a game situation, and that was good.

"For instance, we had Michael Rankine alongside Damian Reeves up top in the first half with one just behind, then one up top with two behind in the second.

"There’s the makings of a good partnership between Michael and Reevesie, but equally we played one up front quite often last season and it is good to have those options.

"Being right for August 8 is the priority, and it is pleasing to have taken the first step towards that."

On plans to strengthen his squad, Sinnott added: "You hear of people being available all the time, but it is a case of bringing players in who are going to fit the bill for what we require.

"It’s not going to be half-a-dozen, but it will probably be three or maybe four new faces, depending on the budget.

"We are keeping a very close eye on it, because it is important we make the right decisions."