ALTRINCHAM 1 DOVER ATHLETIC 2

For the second time in a week Altrincham allowed a 1-0 interval lead to slip and this time they emerged with nothing at all to show for their efforts.

The evening had started badly for the Robins, who lost left-back Adam Griffin to illness before kick-off.

Another change to the starting team, designed to combat the renowned physicality of the visitors, was for Michael Rankine to start up front in place of Damian Reeves.

It worked well in the first half when Altrincham played the better football and Rankine made his presence felt. They deservedly took a 36th minute lead after Simon Richman had been fouled just outside the visitors' box. Jordan Sinnott laid off the free kick to Rankine and he blasted a ferocious shot past the wall and into the back of the net.

And the big striker might have doubled the lead three minutes later when a fine ball from James Lawrie put him clear. But Rankine's first touch was too strong and this allowed goalkeeper Walker to grab the ball.

Dover arrived at the J Davidson Stadium in fourth place, while Alty had started fourth from bottom and in the second half the visitors showed how their attritional play has taken them within touching distance of League Two.

They dominated most of the second half and got themselves level midway through the second period. An Alty clearing header struck an opponent and Rick Miller was on hand to score from six yards.

Just eight minutes later Dover's Stefan Payne got the better of Luca Havern and scored the visitors' winning goal.

Altrincham brought on attacking substitutes in the shape of Reeves, Crowther and Heathcote but were unable to get back to parity.

To make matters worse defender Marcus Holness was shown a straight red card for a foul in the dying moments of the match and looks set to miss the next three games.

At the interval scores elsewhere had meant that Alty lay 19th in the table. Just 45 minutes later they had dropped three places back in the drop zone. Next up is a home match with mid-table Bromley on Saturday (3pm) before they complete the season with three away games in their final four fixtures.