PHIL Parkinson played down Altrincham’s chances of gatecrashing the Vanarama National League’s promotion play-offs and, instead, described a stunning victory at runaway leaders Torquay United as "a step towards staying up".

Parkinson’s in-form team continued to defy the odds by recovering from going a goal down with a penalty by Josh Hancock and spectacular winner from substitute Ryan Colclough against a side who were 10 points clear at the top of the table before kick-off.

Alty’s third straight win lifted them to fourth in the table, just a solitary point behind second-placed Hartlepool United, and gave them a remarkable tally of 27 points from their last 13 games.

It makes a mockery of pre-season forecasts that they may struggle to stay afloat in the midst of so many big-budget full-time clubs, following promotion via the National League North play-offs. But as he reflected on an exceptional 2-1 triumph at Plainmoor and looked forward to Alty’s next game at home to Wrexham on Tuesday night, in the absence of a fixture this weekend, the Robins boss did his best to dampen soaring expectations among ecstatic supporters.

“It was a huge effort by everyone involved, and it was all made extremely worthwhile by the performance and result," he said.

Ryan Colclough, second left, scored a super goal as Altrincham sealed an impressive 2-1 win at leaders Torquay United. Pictures: Michael Ripley

Ryan Colclough, second left, scored a super goal as Altrincham sealed an impressive 2-1 win at leaders Torquay United. Pictures: Michael Ripley

“We had lads taking half-a-day’s holiday to make themselves available, and it was a six-hour journey to get down there, so to perform as well as we did, away to a very strong top-of-the-table team, made it all the sweeter.

“We knew it would be tough, but we always fancied our chances after the way we’ve been playing. The lads have been growing in confidence with every game, and when we play with that sort of confidence and belief, we are difficult to stop.

“But we certainly won’t get carried away. As we know, every game in this league takes everything out of you, so we will reflect and recover and then prepare for the next game against Wrexham.

“That will be another tough one, but we are really looking forward to it.

“We are getting closer to safety and staying in this division, which is the goal.”

Parkinson has bolstered his attacking options by signing Joe Piggott after the striker’s release by Wigan Athletic.

Previously on loan at Alty just under two years ago, in a spell that brought him four goals in six appearances, he has signed a contract until the end of next season.