ALTRINCHAM kept alive their hopes of qualifying for the promotion play-offs, thanks to a strong second half performance in Northamptonshire last Wednesday (March 28).

The visitors survived a couple of early scares, which required a clearance off their goal-line and a fine save from goalkeeper Coburn, before taking a ninth minute lead against the run of play. The goal came when James Lawrie's shot, from left of goal, was beaten out by goalkeeper Bennion but only as far as to Damian Reeves, who drove it into the net.

However, it was the Steelmen who went on to enjoy the better of the first 45 minutes. They deservedly equalised in the 35th minute when poor defending from a long throw on the Corby right allowed Jones to score, unmarked, at the back post.

Altrincham altered things at the interval with Walmsley replacing Miles and captain Shaun Densmore moving into midfield. Within 10 minutes Alty had gained a 3-1 lead.

First, Reeves took his tally to 39 for the season when he finished off a freekick from the right after 50 minutes. Then, his strike partner, Leighton McGivern netted his first goal for the Robins since joining from Vauxhall Motors.

After that, Corby, whose home record is curiously inferior to their away performances, kept battling but Altrincham's back four remained solid.

The win lifted Alty to seventh and with matches against several of their promotion rivals to come, the season remains very much alive for The Robins.

ALTRINCHAM: Coburn; Densmore (c); Flynn, C Lynch, Smart; Miles (Walmsley), Phelan, Richman, Lawrie; Reeves (Watmore), McGivern (Twiss).

Unused subs; Reid, M Lynch