ALTRINCHAM arrived at the World of Smile Stadium as one of only two clubs to have beaten the leaders, Cheltenham Town, in the National League this season but went down 1-0.

The visitors started the game confidently but had to withstand a couple of early probes from Cheltenham.

With Waters looking dangerous for Cheltenham on their right, Alty keeper Tim Deasy had to do well to push a fierce shot from him over the bar.

But Altrincham were proving a match for the ex-Football League team, winning a number of corners and, in Ryan Crowther, they possessed a player willing to take on the home defence.

After 38 minutes Altrincham should have taken the lead when Damian Reeves fed Michael Rankine.

But the burly striker's attempt to place the ball towards the top corner of the net ended in a miscue, wide of the target.

No doubted stirred up by wily manager Gary Johnson's interval team-talk, Cheltenham began the second half with a better tempo.

But with Scott Leather outstanding at the heart of the Alty defence, the visitors held firm until the 56th minute when captain Luca Havern was drawn into a foul on Harry Pell.

After some delay, Danny Wright put his spot kick past Deasy to give Cheltenham the lead.

Altrincham responded well and came close to drawing level.

A teasing cross from James Lawrie just evaded Reeves and the hosts were also fortunate to see a rasping shot from Jordan Sinnott hit the back of the net, only to be ruled out for offside against Reeves.

Cheltenham saw out the closing stages without too many alarms but the narrowness of their victory underlined the fine margins between the upper and lower reaches of the National League.

This was the first of four away games for Alty over the festive fortnight.

On Tuesday they travelled to Leamington in the FA Trophy replay, before league trips to Tranmere (Monday) and Chester (New Year's Day).

Their only home game in that period is against Chester on Boxing Day (3pm).