PHIL Parkinson hailed an "almost faultless" first-half performance as Altrincham continued their rich vein of form with a 2-0 win over Wealdstone that lifted them to fourth in the Vanarama National League at The J.Davidson Stadium on Tuesday night.

Josh Hancock’s sixth goal of the season rounded off a dominant first-half display, and when Alistair Smith doubled Alty’s lead near the end, they were assured of a victory that took them to within a point of second-placed Sutton United.

All the other teams around them have games in hand, but that does nothing to detract from the way Alty have defied the odds so far after consolidation was supposed to be their only realistic objective at the start of the season.

Reflecting on how Hancock might have had a hat-trick, after hitting the bar and forcing a fine full-length save from the keeper, and substitute Ryan Colclough struck a post with a fierce low drive, Alty boss Parkinson said: “I hope everyone enjoyed watching that, because I certainly did. We just dropped off for a few minutes after going in front, and could have been pegged back, but other than that, I thought the first half was almost faultless.

ON TARGET: Alistair Smith turns home Altrincham’s second in Tuesday night’s 2-0 win over Wealdstone. Pictures:Michael Ripley Photography

ON TARGET: Alistair Smith turns home Altrincham’s second in Tuesday night’s 2-0 win over Wealdstone. Pictures:Michael Ripley Photography

“We knew they would come at us in the second half, because they are fearless about having a go at you. But so are we, and I feel in the last three games, we have really been looking like a team belonging to me and Neil Sorvel.

"We are looking a real goal threat. The first was from a set-piece, but we were outstanding from open play as well, and it could easily have been three or four."

Parkinson singled out livewire winger Dan Mooney for praise, adding: "I thought Dan was the real stand-out performer – absolutely top drawer.

"He hit the heights expected of him by me and all Alty fans, and I have made it quite clear to him that he has set the standard now and has to maintain it. If he falls below that, I will be after him.

“I said to him before the game that how he and Joel Senior fared against Jacob Mendy and Dennon Lewis would be a big factor. Mendy is one of the better full-backs in the league, really pacey, but Dan gave him a torrid time, and Joel snuffed out Lewis, so the gameplan worked really well.”