ALTRINCHAM may have a long journey ahead of them, but the first step has definitely been made.

That's the message coming from Robins boss Bernard Taylor this week, after his side recorded a much needed win.

The beleaguered Robins hade lost their first three games of the season, shipping twelve goals and only scoring one before Monday's bank holiday tie with Gateshead.

They turned it round in style, dishing out a 4-0 hammering to the north-easterners - goals came from a Rod Thornley hat-trick and a late strike from midfield debut boy Peter Band.

"No-one here is getting carried away. There's still a lot of travelling to be done and a lot of games still to be played," said Taylor on Wednesday.

He added, "The win is definitely a weight off our mind. Even in the games we have lost I thought we played well in patches, so it is great to see what the squad is capable of.

"We'll have another go on Saturday at Blyth, and that will be hard. Not many teams will go up there this season and find it easy."

Bernard went on to praise the atmosphere in the dressing room, and the part that Robins fans had played in making it so good.

He said, "I am delighted with the fans. They were great with us on Monday and the players said they were of a different class after the game.

"Some of the players have told me they have never seen fans like that, and they are certainly the best I have ever seen.

Alty will seek to capitalise on that spirit when they travel to fifth-placed Blyth on Saturday, and they follow that with a Tuesday night home tie against Burscough.