ALTRINCHAM were hit by a sucker-punch after 43 seconds as Forest Green Rovers stayed in second spot in the National League losing 2-0.

When facing one of the top sides in the league, the last thing you want is to concede an early goal.

But former Preston North End striker Jon Parkin did the damage, driving a low shot across goalkeeper Tim Deasy.

Alty remained on the back foot in the opening stages and after conceding a corner they fell further behind in the 19th minute.

Again it was the bulky Parkin who scored, taking advantage of slack marking to double Rovers' advantage.

Altrincham did then come into the game and won several corners but, apart from a deflected James Lawrie shot from 20 yards which clipped the post, they did not seriously threaten to score before the interval.

With the game in added time just before the break, Altrincham were given a potential lifeline when Rovers'Bennett was sent off after reacting to an Altrincham foul.

And Altrincham did enjoy more of the ball in the second half but only once seriously tested goalkeeper Arnold when Damian Reeves forced a finger-tip save from an Adam Griffin feed.

But 12 minutes from time Alty midfielder Josh O'Keefe was harshly shown a red card for a challenge near half-way. The very wet pitch meant that he slid into Rovers' Guthrie but referee Rushton showed no leniency.

Before kick off Alty were the only team in the National League not to have seen a red card but, just five minutes later, they had seen a second in this match alone.

Captain Luca Havern received his marching orders for a second yellow-card offence.

So, Altrincham now travel to Colchester United next Sunday in the FA Cup minus two suspended players.

ALTRINCHAM: Deasy, Sinnott, Leather, Havern (capt), Griffin (Clee 70), Moult, O'Keefe, Richman, Crowther (Rankine 46), Lawrie, Reeves (Bowerman 70). Unused subs: Williams, Heathcote