PHIL Parkinson hailed a return to peak form for Jordan Hulme as Altrincham claimed a second successive win against full-time opposition and strengthened their hold on a National League North play-off place at The J.Davidson Stadium on Saturday.

Back in action for the first time since a 1-0 win at York City three weeks earlier, Alty raced into an early 2-0 lead against Kidderminster Harriers through James Jones and Hulme but were left hanging on for a 2-1 scoreline that extended their unbeaten run to five games.

"I thought we were outstanding for 30 minutes and justifiably 2-0 up, but it was all Kidderminster after that," said Alty boss Parkinson.

"Full credit to them for the pressure they put us under, but full credit to my boys as well for the defensive resilience they showed.

"James Jones is always a threat at set-pieces, always lively in the box.

"You've got to want to get into positions where you might get on the end of something.

"You can't coach that. It's down to the individual, and James certainly has that about him.

"One of the big plusses for me was seeing Jordan looking really mobile and holding the ball up against three massive centre-backs when he had no right to.

"That was him back to his best, back to where he was at the start of the season, and goals will come when he plays like that.

"There were a few heart-in-mouth moments for us, but don't forget Kidderminster are full-time.

"We don't get to work on things every day, like they do.

"They should be brighter, sharper and fitter than us, but we turned them over, as we did York, and I'm more than pleased with that.

"Special mention goes to Tony Thompson – he has been outstanding since coming back into the side, and I hope the saves he's made haven't gone unnoticed.

"His kicking was on-point against Kidderminster, he was a colossus in the box and he made saves where a lot of keepers might have shied away."