ALTRINCHAM'S second home defeat in a week, 2-0 to Boston United, has tempered the early-season optimism created by the three unbeaten games which started the 2018/19 National League North season.
The visitors showed good organisation, rather than outstanding flair, as they snuffed out Altrincham's normally fluent passing game.
Boston's efficient closing-down, aided by a number of unforced errors by the Robins, meant United keeper George Willis was not tested at all throughout the 90 minutes.
In a goalless first half, Nicky Walker's superb volley from 25 yards, which struck the outside of the post, was the closest the Lincolnshire side came to breaking the deadlock.
But it only took the Pilgrims four minutes after the interval to make the breakthrough.
Much-travelled striker Adam Marriott hit a fine low shot past Tony Thompson from outside the box, after Altrincham had lost possession in midfield.
The Robins saw plenty of the ball after that but were unable to produce a shot on target, while an under-hit back-pass from Andy White almost let Boston in for a second goal.
The visitors doubled their lead in the 88th minute when, once again, possession was lost in the Alty midfield.
Substitute Craig Westcarr fed Nathan Arnold, whose rising shot from the left of goal beat Thompson.
Altrincham face two long trips to the North East on the next two Saturdays, with Darlington and Blyth the respective destinations.
Between those fixtures, on Bank Holiday Monday, Yorkshire club Guiseley are the visitors to the J. Davidson Stadium.
ALTRINCHAM: Thompson, White, Hampson, Hannigan, Goulding, Moult, Johnston, Harrop, Hulme, Richman, Hancock. Subs: Peers, Daniels, Jones, Williams, Wynne.
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