LEE Sinnott vowed to guard against Altrincham's FA Cup exploits having a detrimental effect on their Vanarama National League fortunes after a 3-0 derby defeat at Macclesfield on Tuesday night.

Barely 24 hours after landing a second-round tie at League One Colchester, Alty found themselves uncomfortably close to the drop zone after failing to make the most of a lively start at Moss Rose.

Jordan Sinnott clipped the bar, while the normally-clinical Damian Reeves missed a glaring chance from six yards in between two first-half Macclesfield goals that set up the win.

"I like the tie we've been given," said Alty boss Sinnott.

"It's going to be tough, but I like the challenge it presents. It will be a good surface and a chance to play our football, and we will embrace it when the time comes.

"But I've told the players to file it away, put it out of their heads completely and concentrate on the matter in hand, which is trying to pick up important league points.

"It was frustrating at Macclesfield because of many aspects, not least the brilliant support we had. Some of our approach play was excellent early on, and we were getting to the ball first, but generally we lacked the killer touch in the final third.

"Reevesie hasn't said anything about the one that got away, but he knows it should have gone in. He doesn't need telling. It might have made a difference at 1-1, the way we were playing, but you only need to look at his goals for Alty to know he has scored his fair share.

"Macclesfield have had home advantage first this time, so when it's our turn, it's up to us, as a group, to make the most of that and put a smile on Altrincham faces.

"I don't like seeing our supporters go from euphoria to disappointment like that. You come to places like this and get dog's abuse, so we have to make it vociferous and hostile for them, in the right way."

James Lawrie should return at Bromley on Saturday, but Luca Havern is unlikely to be fit.