A ROUSING performance for Altrincham swept them to the top of the divisional form guide and up to eighth place in the table after a 2-1 victory at Chester.

Against a confident Chester, unbeaten in their previous 11 league games, Altrincham started the game brightly and took an 11th-minute lead.

Owen Dale was brought down on the Alty left, but the ball broke to Josh Hancock who fed Jordan Hulme and the club's joint leading scorer advanced to the edge of the box before striking the ball low past home keeper Grant Shenton.

However, despite being comfortably the better side, Altrincham could not add to their tally before half time.

And the Robins paid the price eight minutes after the interval when poor defending gave Chester an equaliser.

The Alty defence allowed Chester defender Simon Grand an unchallenged header and he scored past Tony Thompson, from a Gary Roberts free kick.

The visitors then weathered a tense 10 minutes before reasserting their control with a second goal.

What proved to be the winner came from a left-wing corner by John Johnston in the 65th minute.

An excellent leap by Jake Moult at the back post allowed the Alty captain to head the ball back towards the near post where Hulme nodded the ball into the net.

After that Altrincham impressively controlled proceedings to record an impressive 13 points from their last five league fixtures.

Next up, York City visit the J. Davidson Stadium on Saturday.

ALTRINCHAM: Thompson, White, Hampson, Jones, Hannigan, Moult, Johnston, Harrop, Hulme, Hancock, Dale. Subs: Gabidon, Scott, Richman, Densmore, Wynne.