ALTRINCHAM completed a deserved double over FC Halifax Town but the Yorkshiremen could still deprive Alty of a fourth-place finish in Conference North.

However, if Alty defeat Droylsden in their final league game next Saturday (Moss Lane, 3pm), the Shaymen will need to win both of their remaining fixtures to pip Altrincham.

So, depending on those results, next Tuesday Alty will be at home (7.45pm) to either Guiseley or Brackley Town in the first leg of the semi-finals of the promotion play-offs.

With their heavy schedule of games in recent weeks, Halifax rested a number of players for this match at Altrincham.Nevertheless they arguably had slightly the better of a rather low-key first half.

However, after the break Altrincham were comfortably the better side and scored two excellent goals.

The first arrived just three minutes after the interval when Nicky Clee advanced up the left and exchanged passes with midfielder Carl Rodgers.

Clee then struck an impressive left-foot shot past goalkeeper Glennon.

The second goal was the culmination of a slick first-time passing movement up the left channel, which ended with Matt Doughty, Alty's left-back, scoring with a well placed right-foot shot, his first from open play this season.

That goal arrived in the 68th minute.

Following that, Halifax did try to get forward but by the final stages Altrincham were comfortably in control and goalkeeper Stuart Coburn was scarcely tested as the Robins recorded their second successive clean sheet.

The Robins' run of just one defeat in their last 15 games - and that solitary reverse was to champions Chester FC - means they head towards the play-offs in confident mood.

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