Altrincham's Sunday visit to the delightful city of York proved fruitless as they battled valiantly for points. The trip east was relatively traffic free but parking around the ground proved difficult on the cramped side streets around the giant confection that is Kit Kat Crescent.The topography of terraced houses, back yards and alleys was reminiscent of a trip to Maine Road in its heyday. I was disappointed in my expectation of seeing the ground swathed in silver paper.

It was particularly bizarre to see Timperley's own Frank Sidebottom strolling the pitch perimeter hurling Kit Kats from a bucket at anyone with a weight problem.

Equally bizarre was the hostile reception he receieved from some travelling supporters who took the view that he presented a kind of Lord Haw Haw figure.

This is Yorkshire calling!

It's pleasing to hear that Frank is enjoying a renaissance and that he is very big at the York City Social Club - a case of Ousing success!

Having taken up position on the breezy open terrace we watched as the Robins enjoyed the better of the first half with Lewis Chalmer's long throws plunging the home defence into panic. Three times his throws almost produced goals with the home keeper preventing a spectacular own goal from one of them. However, it was the home side who took the lead late in the first half.

The home manager must have threatened to withhold the post-match sweet allowance as the home side started the second with a gusto that they maintained for the rest of the game. Unfortunately the points Nestle'd with the home side on the final whistle.

Premature FA Cup exit leaves the Robins without a fixture for 2 weeks until controversial Crawley Town are due at Moss Lane on November 18 - providing they survive their seemingly endless and convoluted problems.

Then it seems we will have to negotiate an assault course along Golf Road as United Utilities drill for oil! No. don't buy a Stetson yet - it's really something to do with stormwater screening.

These excavations are likely to lead to parking difficulties of York City proportions.

Probably better to walk to the games and shed those extra pounds produced by Frank's free Kit Kats.