Connor Jennings gave Altrincham a pre-Christmas boost by committing to a new loan deal and marked the breakthrough in style as the Robins maintained their unbeaten run at Maidstone United’s Gallagher Stadium.

The Stockport County striker has made a favourable impression since agreeing to an initial one-month loan, and he had no hesitation extending it for a further month after the League Two club gave their consent last Friday afternoon.

Twenty-four hours later, it was Alty’s unbeaten sequence that was being extended, as they made it five games without defeat with a 3-2 win against Maidstone that included Jennings’ first goal for the club.

“The fact that I keep naming an unchanged team shows how well Connor is doing for us,” said manager Phil Parkinson.

“He gives us a platform that allows us to play, and I think the biggest word I would use for him is unselfish. His general play and intelligence is outstanding.

“The lads are performing. We are clicking, and it was good to see Eddy Jones again showing what a front-foot defender he is, constantly getting up and down the flank from left-back. He is really coming into his own, and I’ve been delighted with his performances of late.

“I’d been worried about this game all week. I knew the conditions would be bad, but we prepared right and the lads had exactly the right mentality to get the result we wanted and deserved.”

Alty’s hopes of extending their unbeaten run still further on Tuesday night were dashed by the weather, with the big freeze rendering the J.Davidson Stadium pitch unplayable for the visit of Maidenhead United.

The Robins will be hoping for better luck on Saturday when they switch their sights to the FA Trophy and an intriguing third-round tie at home to a Curzon Ashton side packed with former Alty favourites, like Tom Peers, Josh Hancock and Connor Hampson.