ALTRINCHAM 0 AFC TELFORD UNITED 2

ALTRINCHAM'S mini-revival came to an abrupt end with a home defeat against AFC Telford United last weekend.

Having won four of their previous five games – three of them in the FA Cup – Altrincham went into this league match hopeful of a win which would lift them nearer to safety in the National League North.

They were without suspended centre-back Tom Hannigan but had a new left-back in Andy McWilliams, signed in midweek from Bradford Park Avenue.

But the Robins allowed the visitors to seize the initiative from the start and, but for the woodwork saving them on three occasions in the opening 45 minutes, the match could have been over by the interval.

As it was, Telford only scored once before half time.

Their goal arrived in the 24th minute when Altrincham captain Alan Goodall, who had an uncharacteristically shaky game in his recently adopted centre-back position, failed to cut out a through ball. It ran on to Telford's Connor McCarthy, who drove his shot past exposed Alty keeper Tim Deasy.

For their part, apart from an opportunistic volley from Sean Miller which keeper Montgomery saved, Alty hardly threatened the visitors' goal in the first half.

After 35 minutes Goodall was withdrawn and Danny Hall, returning from injury, took his place at centre-back.

Altrincham's faltering performance continued after the break and they fell further behind shortly before the hour mark. From 25 yards out, right of goal, the visitors' Bradley Reid, on loan from Wolves, lobbed the advancing Deasy who was caught in no-man's land.

McWilliams gave a solid display before being substituted as Altrincham moved to a back three. Further forward, Miller was Alty's liveliest player but they never looked like taking anything from the game.

On Saturday, Alty are away to Worcester City before a trip to Lincoln City in the FA Cup First Round on November 5.

ALTRINCHAM: Deasy, Patterson, Cyrus, Goodall, McWilliams, Moult, Richman, Wilkinson, Lawrie, Miller, Reeves. Subs: Dawber, Hobson, Marsh, Hall, Hasler-Cregg.