Altrincham 5 Welling United 0

VICTORY in their final home game was the only way for Altrincham to ensure their campaign to stay in non-league's top flight would extend to the last fixture of the season.

And the Robins responded to the challenge with their biggest win of the season, 5-0 against already relegated Welling United.

After an even opening, Altrincham failed to take two good chances to edge ahead.

Firstly, captain Jake Moult put Michael Rankine clear but the Alty top scorer could only clip the top of the bar.

Moments later, Rankine shot wide from Damian Reeves' pass.

But Alty did go ahead in the 33rd minute when Jordan Sinnott calmly steered a loose ball into the net.

In first-half added time, Rankine made amends for his earlier misses as he converted a penalty awarded for handball.

Five minutes after the interval, James Lawrie made it 3-0.

But the best goal of the match arrived midway through the second half.

An impressive move up the right wing, involving Scott Leather and Sinnott in a superb one-touch sequence, was completed by Sinnott's cross and Reeves' header into the net, towards the back post.

Deep into added time, Rankine got his second as he expertly lobbed keeper Marek Rodak to complete the scoring.

Alty must now beat play-off contenders Braintree Town in Essex on Saturday to have any chance of retaining their place in the National League and they will also need adverse results from both FC Halifax Town and Guiseley to ensure their survival.

ALTRINCHAM: Deasy, Leather, Holness, Havern, Griffin, Moult, Lawrie, Sinnott, Ginnelly, Rankine, Reeves. Subs: Heathcote, Williams, O'Keefe, Savill, Richman.