ALTRINCHAM made it 17 games undefeated when two early goals secured a 2-0 FA Trophy third qualifying round victory away against an Alfreton side from the league above them.

The visitors started the game brightly and took a seventh-minute lead.

A clever flick from Jordan Hulme allowed John Johnston to advance on the right.

His firm, low cross was turned into his own net at the back post by defender Marcus Marshall. The ball went in off the upright, with Josh Hancock on hand had it not done so.

Ten minutes later, Hulme's ball inside the Alfreton box was judged to have been handled and Johnston sent home keeper Elliott the wrong way with the resulting penalty.

It was not until Alfreton made all three of their substitutions in the five minutes after the interval that their threat increased. But a couple of splendid saves from Altrincham's Tony Thompson, and the width of the post from a Westcarr effort, kept the visitors' goal intact.

However, Altrincham continued to be a threat themselves and, in added time, a fine Johnston run up the left ended with his shot rolling against the post before it was cleared.

On Tuesday, the Robins exited the Integro Cup at the second-round stage after a 5-4 penalty shootout defeat following a 3-3 draw at Mossley.

It was a controversial exit, though, after a seemingly offside goal in the fourth minute of added time had taken the tie to the shootout.

After nine successful conversions, defender Connor Hampson had the 10th spot-kick saved to allow Mossley to progress.

Before that, Alty had been reduced to 10 men when Mason Walsh was shown a second yellow card with the score level at 2-2.

But five minutes after that the 10 men took the lead again when captain for the night, Hancock, completed his hat-trick.

Early in the game Alty had fallen behind when a ball over the top of the makeshift back four allowed Ellis to score for Mossley.

Altrincham, fielding just two of the players who had started last Saturday's match, deployed a back four comprising four full-backs, two of whom were reserve players.

But the new-look visitors equalised after 16 minutes when Hancock struck a superb goal from outside the box.

Hancock then put Alty ahead when he converted a superb 70-yard ball from Sam Sheridan but Mossley levelled before the interval when Latham bundled the ball home from close range.

After Hancock's third goal, Mossley snatched their late equaliser when the assistant referee failed to raise his flag as they advanced in a seemingly offside position, and Latham scored again to make it 3-3.

Mossley started the penalty shoot out and both sides netted all their attempts until spot-kick number 10 from Hampson.