A TRIP to National League North's bottom club, Gainsborough Trinity, could have been the perfect pick-me-up for an Altrincham side which had suffered its worst ever home defeat the previous Tuesday, 6-0 to AFC Fylde.

But it proved to be the wrong type of medicine for the Robins and their travelling supporters as they slumped to a 2-0 defeat.

The Robins fielded two new signings, left-back Adam Sumner from AFC Fylde and striker Nyal Bell, a loanee from Gateshead.

The visitors started brightly with a first-minute corner, several early free kicks and,a cross from Sam Patterson which Damian Reeves was unable to head on target – all inside the first 10 minutes.

But the hosts, who had started shakily, gradually gained some confidence and it was they who went closer to scoring in the first half.

Indeed, Alty were thankful to keeper Andrew Dawber for two good blocks.

Having already stopped a point-blank Gainsborough effort in the 11th minute, the Alty keeper did well, again, to block a Alex Wiles shot shortly before the half-hour mark.

Gainsborough took the lead eight minutes after the interval. Dawber was left exposed and did well to keep out a shot from Gavin Rothery but Ashley Worsfold was on hand to convert the loose ball.

Altrincham made two substitutions and started to get forward more consistently. Their best chance fell to Reeves but, though he made space well, his left-foot shot was sliced off target.

With weather conditions deteriorating, the game was settled six minutes from the end of normal time.

Gainsborough's Jacob Hazel got round Alty defender John Cyrus and his pass was converted by Rothery.

Despite six minutes of added time, there was no way back for an Altrincham side which rarely troubled home keeper Jonathan Hedge.

The win lifted Trinity six places but left Altrincham just one place above the relegation zone.

They entertain Curzon Ashton at the J.Davidson Stadium on Saturday and will be looking to cut out defensive slackness and improve the service to their front men.

ALTRINCHAM: Dawber, Patterson, Cyrus, Goodall, Heathcote, Sumner, Moult, Lynch, Lawrie, Bell, Reeves. Subs: Preston, Menagh, Joyce, Richman, Hattersley.