ALTRINCHAM returned to winning ways on Saturday by completing a league double over Yorkshire side Farsley Celtic with a 1-0 away win.

Despite losing at the J Davidson Stadium 6-0 earlier this season, Celtic had recently beaten Alty's major title contenders, Shaw Lane, so they presented a formidable challenge to the Robins.

With Tom Hannigan and Shaun Densmore restored to the starting XI, Altrincham enjoyed much the better of the opening stages.

But, despite winning a succession of corners and testing keeper Graeme McKibbin on several occasions, there was to be no first-half breakthrough.

Indeed, before the interval, Farsley enjoyed a decent spell of their own with Isaac Baldwin their major threat.

The second half also saw Altrincham start much the better of the two sides but still without making a decisive opening.

Just after the hour mark, home striker Dan Cockerline made a late lunge on Alty centre-back Hannigan and, after consulting the assistant, the referee produced a red card for the big front man.

Four minutes later, Altrincham took the lead when Jordan Hulme was put clear and calmly rounded the keeper before slotting the ball into the net.

It was the seventh successive league game in which Alty's leading scorer had found the net.

With Altrincham unable to extend their lead, Farsley's 10 men mounted a late surge for an equaliser.

But the Alty defence held firm and consolidated their eight-point lead at the top of the Evo-Stik Premier.

ALTRINCHAM: Thompson, Densmore, White, Hannigan, Harrison, Moult, Johnston, Harrop, Hulme, Poole, Hancock. Subs: Peers, Richman, Miller, Jones, Deasy.