Phil Parkinson hailed a moment of brilliance from Elliott Durrell that spurred Altrincham towards a crucial away victory and strengthened their hold on a play-off place at Edgar Street on Saturday.

New signing Durrell made it three goals in as many appearances since joining Alty with an exceptional first-time volley at the far post to break Hereford’s resistance and set up a 2-0 win for Parkinson’s promotion chasers.

“Who else, other than Elliott, would you want on the end of a chance like that?” said the Alty boss.

“He was probably the only player on the pitch who could finish like that.

“The ball was fizzed in from the left with height and spin, and it took outstanding technique to watch the ball all the way on to his boot and hit it as cleanly as he did.

“But that’s what Elliott has, and there was no doubt in my mind, as soon as it landed to him, that it was heading for the back of the net.

“It was an absolutely outstanding goal, finished with aplomb.”

The points were safe when Simon Richman followed up to score from close range after the Hereford keeper parried an opportunist long-range volley by Jordan Hulme.

“As Jordan watched the ball drop over his shoulder, I knew he was going to shoot, and he normally rips the back of the net off, even from that distance,” added Parkinson, whose side are at home to promotion rivals Spennymoor on Saturday as sixth faces seventh in the National League North promotion race.

“The keeper got across to it and made a half-decent save, but I knew Simon, with his mobility, would win the race to the rebound.

“That wrapped up a really professional performance in extremely difficult conditions against opponents you have to keep quiet.

“It’s an exciting run-in, with 10 games left, and we are relishing the challenge.

“None of us will start looking too far ahead, because you can lose focus, so all our attention is going to be on Spennymoor.

“These are games the players want to be involved in.”

After Spennymoor Alty face leaders York City and fellow play-off hopefuls Chester.