ALTRINCHAM'S faltering form in March, which had included a run in which just seven points had been gleaned from six games, was forgotten at the Giant Axe as they deservedly overcame a dogged Lancaster City side 2-1.

It looked like it would be a comfortable afternoon when the Robins swept to a two-goal lead inside 17 minutes but City were allowed to pull back a goal in the 24th minute.

After that, Altrincham enjoyed a lot of the ball but were unable to add to their tally, with Max Harrop's shot against the bar the nearest to re-opening a two-goal margin.

Top scorer Jordan Hulme netted the opening goal, converting Harrop's feed.

The goalkeeper fumbled the ball into the net as Hulme celebrated his 29th strike of the season.

The lead was doubled seven minutes later when Tom Hannigan's powerful header hit the back of the net from a John Johnston corner.

But Connor Simpson was allowed a free header from Billy Akrigg's cross to narrow the margin for the hosts to 2-1.

Without the injured James Poole, Ben Harrison, Tom Peers and Tim Deasy, Altrincham introduced three young players from the bench in the closing stages, with Sam Heathcote, Theo Bailey-Jones and Rhain Davis replacing team-mates who had battled hard on a tiring, bobbly pitch.

Defeats for Alty's chief rivals, Warrington Town and Grantham Town, meant Altrincham opened up an eight-point lead at the top of the Evo-Stik Premier table, with seven fixtures remaining.

Barely 48 hours after the Lancaster match, Altrincham were on their way to another away game, this time at Stourbridge where they drew 1-1, before they return to the J Davidson Stadium on Saturday for the visit of Barwell (3pm).

ALTRINCHAM: Thompson, Densmore, White, Hannigan, Jones, Moult, Johnston, Richman, Hulme, Harrop, Hancock. Subs: Davis, Merrie, Bailey-Jones, Jones, Heathcote.