ALTRINCHAM started their clash at Bradford Park Avenue with nine of their squad sidelined by injury and several of the men who were actually involved, including keeper Tim Deasy, less than fully fit.

To add to their woes, not only did they lose midfielder Kyle Brownhill to injury during the game but they had their goalscorer, Elliot Newby, controversially sent off soon after the interval.

So, once again, it was a question of having to field players who did not have the benefit of being members of a settled side.

Newby, who has been a great success during his loan spell from Barrow, was shown a red card which bemused players and spectators alike after Bradford forward Gavin Rothery had gone down off the ball.

The best guess as to why Newby, who had not been cautioned once in his 15 previous league games for the Robins, had been dismissed was a stray elbow catching the Bradford man.

After that red card, Altrincham were far from outclassed by a workmanlike Bradford side but lacked any bite up front.

The Robins eventually succumbed to an 80th-minute goal, substitute Chris Sharp's long-range header beating Deasy before rebounding off the upright to full-back Matt Hill, who had a simple task of scoring.

Earlier in the game, Bradford had seized a 16th-minute lead when Altrincham failed to cover a quick counter-attack by the Yorkshiremen.

Oli Johnson was allowed to advance up the middle to beat Deasy with a low shot.

Altrincham equalised 12 minutes later when a fine free kick from deep in his own half by Sam Heathcote found Newby left of goal. He controlled the ball impressively before driving a low shot past goalkeeper Jon Worsnop.

On Saturday, the Robins travel to high-flying Salford City before Brackley Town visit the J. Davidson Stadium on April 8.

ALTRINCHAM: Deasy, Patterson, McWilliams, Moult, Heathcote, Lynch, Richman, Brownhill, Owens, Reeves, Newby. Subs: Lawrie, Clee, Evans, Hannigan, A Jones.