ALTRINCHAM 3 MORPETH TOWN 0

ALTRINCHAM moved one step away from a potential FA Cup first-round clash against Football League opposition with victory over Northumberland team Morpeth Town on Saturday.

The visiting Highwaymen won the FA Vase last season and had impressively thrashed renowned FA Cup fighters Blyth Spartans in the previous round.

The Robins have yet to establish a settled side and again there were changes in their line-up.

Back into the side came centre-back Tom Hannigan after a lengthy injury absence and midfielder Charlie Joyce, who returned after suspension.

Altrincham started shakily with passes going astray, while Morpeth created several early half chances but under the midfield influence of the creative Greg Wilkinson the hosts slowly improved.

They took the lead four minutes before half time when a superb diagonal cross from the left by Wilkinson was expertly headed home off the woodwork by Damian Reeves.

It was fitting Reeves scored as prior to the match he had been presented with a commemorative shirt to mark his 300th appearance for Altrincham.

Morpeth remained very much in the game until the 76th minute.

Then, just a minute after joining the game from the bench, Alty debutant Phil Marsh laid on a goal for Sean Miller with an excellent cross from the right.

Late in the game, the visitors suffered a severe blow when striker Michael Chilton was injured in a collision in the Alty goalmouth. After lengthy treatment he was stretchered off with his neck in a brace.

Left with only 10 men, Morpeth were put under pressure in the final stages, which included six minutes of added time.

And Altrincham snatched a third goal four minutes into that added period when Marsh's shot was well saved but Simon Richman hit the loose ball into the net.

ALTRINCHAM: Dawber, Patterson, Cyrus, Hannigan, Goodall, Moult, Joyce, Wilkinson, Lawrie, Miller, Reeves. Subs: Deasy, Hobson, Richman, Marsh, Cain, Hattersley, Doherty.