ALTRINCHAM dropped into the Conference relegation zone after suffering their second consecutive 3-2 defeat against Kidderminster on Saturday.

The defeat extended Alty's winless run to six games and despite a promising enough start to the season, they have now been plunged back into trouble at the wrong end of the table.

It had all started well enough when Colin Little opened the scoring, but as seems to be the case recently, the Robins' luck simply wasn't in.

James Constable equalised before a dubious penalty decision allowed Iyseden Christie to put his side 2-1 up at the break.

Alty striker Joe O'Neill scored only his second league goal of the season to restore parity but Jonny Harkness scored from a free kick to make it another fruitless day on the road for the Robins.

Still searching for their first away win of the season, the visitors adopted a more positive approach as they took the field at Aggborough, manager Graham Heathcote scrapping the 4-5-1 formation used in recent weeks in favour of a more straightforward 4-4-2.

The change reaped instant rewards for Alty, as they had the better of the early stages and although Christie almost opened the scoring for the home side, it was the visitors who struck first.

A decent Alty move was finished off as Lewis Chalmers picked up the ball on the left and crossed for Little who side-footed into the corner of the net.

Unfortunately, the Robins' lead didn't last long and just five minutes later, Kidderminster were on level terms. Moments after wasting a similar chance, Constable latched onto Christie's flick-on from a Jeff Kenna long throw to head home.

This boost spurred Harriers into action and four minutes before half time they struck another cruel blow. Christie seemed to go down easily in the area under challenge from Peter Band and after initially hesitating, the referee pointed to the spot.

The Kidderminster striker stepped up to fire the penalty home himself, leaving Alty's players with a seriously bad taste in their mouths.

It failed to dampen their spirits, however, and they came out after the break with renewed vigour. The Robins almost scored when a Steve Bushell corner caused havoc in the box before O'Neill finally did put the ball into the net, finishing well from a Robbie Lawton cross.

But another refereeing decision cost Alty dear after Kidderminster were awarded a free kick 20 yards out and Harkness stepped up to curl the ball inside Stuart Coburn's left post.

The visitors never gave up and came close when Val Owen fired wide from 20 yards and then again when substitute Rod Thornley shot over the bar.

But once again, it was simply not their day.

Altrincham player ratings: Coburn 7; Scott 6, Band 6, Rose 6 (Talbot 45, 7), Peyton 6; Lawton 8, Owen 7, Bushell 6, Chalmers 6 (Thornley 80); Little 6, O'Neill 6 (Thomson 82). Subs not used: Acton, Aspinall.