ALTRINCHAM threw away the chance to end their winless run in National League North when two late Alfreton goals consigned them to a 3-2 away defeat on Saturday.

How Altrincham lost this match will haunt the club's supporters for many a day.

Deservedly leading 2-1 with eight minutes remaining against an Alfreton side which had offered virtually nothing on the attacking front in the second half, two poorly-defended goals were conceded in the closing stages.

Before that Altrincham had taken the lead with a 31st-minute goal as Greg Wilkinson's shot looped over the keeper after taking a deflection.

In the second half it was virtually one-way traffic towards the Alfreton end as Altrincham played some of their best football of this disappointing season.

The excellent Sean Miller laid on a header for Damian Reeves, which went wide before Miller himself hit the post, but a second goal would not come for the visitors.

With Alty in control, manager Jim Harvey opted to make substitutions.

Midway through the half, Reeves gave way to Phil Marsh up front and seven minutes later James Lawrie was replaced by recent signing Curtis Obeng.

Moments later Alfreton scored an unlikely equaliser when Andy Monkhouse netted from close range following a free kick.

Eight minutes from time, Altrincham seemed to have regained their hold on all three points when Jake Moult guided a header into the net from a Miller cross to restore their lead.

Alty then replaced left-back Andy McWilliams with midfielder Alan Goodall, but the three changes of personnel had disrupted rather than maintained Alty's rhythm and Alfreton struck twice in the last four minutes.

Both were scrappy goals from balls played into the goalmouth and bundled in from close range.

The Robins remain nine points from safety but take a break from league action on Saturday when they entertain Blyth Spartans in the FA Trophy.

ALTRINCHAM: Dawber, Patterson, Cyrus, Hannigan, McWilliams, Lawrie, Richman, Moult, Miller, Wilkinson, Reeves. Subs: Marsh, Obeng, Goodall, Lenighan, Deasy.