ALTRINCHAM overcame pre-match adversity to secure a deserved 2-1 win against former Football League club, Tranmere Rovers.

Despite being without centre-backs Luca Havern and Tom Marshall, experienced goalkeeper Stuart Coburn and wily left-winger Nicky Clee to injury.

But they started brightly storming to an eighth-minute lead when James Lawrie's shot was blocked and Alty's George Bowerman pounced to score his third goal in three successive games.

The hosts doubled their advantage on the half-hour mark.

Man of the match Michael Rankine linked up well with Northern Ireland international Lawrie and Rankine headed the ball home past past the flat-footed keeper.

Altrincham continued to more than hold their own against their full-time opponents in the second period.

Alty keeper Tim Deasy was rarely troubled on his debut and it was Alty who looked the more dangerous on the counter-attack, with Rankine proving a handful to the Merseysiders throughout the game.

But a moment's lapse of concentration by Altrincham, as play restarted after a substitution, allowed Tranmere to score an 85th minute goal through Maynard.

However, the visitors were unable to build on that lifeline and Altrincham comfortably reached the final whistle with a deserved three points.

The win lifted Altrincham out of the relegation zone and they remain there despite the defeat to Southport.

ALTRINCHAM Deasy, Densmore (capt), Leather, Parry, Griffin, Moult, Sinnott (O'Keefe), Moult, Lawrie (Griffith), Bowerman (Reeves), Rankine.

Unused subs: Crowther, Heathcote