CENTRAL defender Gianluca Havern's first goal for the club edged Altrincham closer to securing their place in the promotion play offs in the Northern section of the Football Conference.

Sixth-placed Bradford PA remain one of two Yorkshire clubs that could deprive Altrincham of that place, the other being Harrogate Town.

But, in addition to Bradford's team, Alty had to contend with a very strong and gusty wind blowing down the Horsfall Stadium pitch last Wednesday (April 17), a surface which itself has come in for criticism in recent weeks.

Altrincham were without the injured Simon Richman and striker Duncan Watmore was also unfit to start the game.

With the visitors playing into the stiff wind in the first half, they had a great chance to take the lead against the run of play.

At a corner-kick, midway through the first-half, their centre-back Danny Hall was impeded in the opposition box and Altrincham were awarded a penalty.

Alty may have converted six penalties this season but, after Matt Doughty's effort in this game had been saved, the tally of missed spot-kicks this season rose to a bewildering total of nine.

Bradford took the lead just before the hour-mark, when a long ball reached Richard Marshall. Despite claims that he had used his hand to control the ball, the Avenue man was allowed to go on to score. However, Alty equalised in slightly odd circumstances.

James Lawrie was unable to stop the wind from moving the ball as he attempted to take a long corner. So, he and a quick-thinking team-mate contrived a short corner routine from which Lawrie curled an impressive shot over the despairing Bradford keeper, in the 73rd minute.

But it looked as if the points were going Bradford's way when their manager's son, Jordan Deacey, was allowed to advance unchallenged and score a fine goal, with just seven minutes remaining.

However, up popped Havern to head in James Lawrie's 87th minute free kick to ensure that Altrincham took a point.

To confirm a play-off place, points are needed from a trio of games; away at bottom-placed Hinckley United and in two home matches. These are, firstly, against FC Halifax Town (next Tuesday, 7.45pm) and, finally, against relegated Droylsden (Saturday 27th, 3pm).

ALTRINCHAM: Coburn, Leather, Havern, Hall, Doughty, Densmore (capt), Boshell, Rodgers, Clee, Lawrie, Reeves. Subs: McMillan, Lacey, Brooke, Watmore and Moult