ALTRINCHAM'S Conference season continued in familiar form over the Bank Holiday weekend.

A strong performance at home on Saturday saw them win 2-0 over St Albans City.

However, their away day blues again followed them on the trip to Gravesend and Northfleet, where they lost 3-1.

The Robins have already suffered losses on the road at Stafford and Exeter, and it would appear that away points - or even away clean sheets - will be hard to come by again.

Graham Heathcote's men are a different proposition at home however.

Having already proved that with a convincing 2-1 win over big-spending Stevenage Borough on the opening day of the season, Alty saw fit to win against St Albans by the same margin.

Goals from Warren Peyton and Gary Talbot put Alty firmly in the driving seat and their fellow part timers from Hertfordshire had little in way of reply.

It was plain to see in the first half that the visitors coveted the points as much as Alty did, and while it is too early to talk about relegation six pointers, these two teams may be side by side in the bottom half of the table for months to come.

This battle for supremacy fuelled a captivating first half as both saw penalties go begging and Altrincham racked up three yellow cards and one red.

First up, Steve Aspinall saw his spot kick on the half hour mark turned round the post by the veteran keeper Paul Bastock; and St Albans were to suffer a crueller fate 10 minutes later.

The pony-tailed Davis was felled by Peter Band inside the Alty box. Referee Richardson waved play on, only for his assistant Mr Powell to attract his attention and persuade him to give the free kick.

Incensed by this, Alty manager Graham Heathcote vented his frustration and without receiving a warning, was sent to the stand at the request of the fourth official.

St Albans captain Lee Clarke put the ball wide of Coburn's post and even better news was on the horizon for Alty as they took the lead in first-half injury time.

A fine move involving Bushell, Lawton and O'Neill ended with marksman Colin Little firing the ball on to the cross bar.

Peyton was first to react to the loose ball as it came back down and fired it home in front of the home fans.

St Albans toned down their attacking approach somewhat in the second half, and resorted to stopping Altrincham playing.

This was never more apparent than when Davis felled O'Neill, giving away a free kick on the right touchline.

Aspinall's inch perfect ball found the head of Talbot who rose well to thunder home a trademark booming header from 15 yards out.

Altrincham's away woes continued on Bank Holiday Monday when a poor second-half performance at Gravesend and Northfleet saw them lose 3-1.

The reds held their own in an even first half and managed to go in at half-time drawing 0-0 However, defensive lapses and Gravesend's superior fitness levels saw the home side race to a 3-0 lead through Luke Moore and a brace from Charlie McDonald.

Aspinall converted a late penalty but this turned out to be little more than a consolation.

Altrincham player ratings v St Albans: Coburn 7; Aspinall 7, Talbot 7, Band 6 (Munroe 49, 5), Scott 7; Lawton 7, Bushell 7, Owen 8, Peyton 7; Little 7, O'Neill 8 (Thornley 87). Subs not used: Chalmers, Rose, Bowler.

Ratings v Gravesend: Coburn 7; Aspinall 5, Talbot 6, Munroe 5 (Rose 67, 5), Scott 6; Lawton 6, Bushell 6, Owen 5 (Chalmers 82), Peyton 6 (Bowler 70, 6); Little 6, O'Neill 6. Subs not used: Thornley, McFadden.