Leading 2-0 at half-time through goals by Hulme and Thornley, a comfortable victory looked on the cards as the Robins played some impressive football, even without captain Steve Hawes who was absent with flu.

However, a deflected goal for Blyth gave Alty some concern for the final quarter of an hour but they held on well to go third in the table.

The biggest match of the season, so far, takes place on Saturday 27th when Conference high-flyers Nuneaton Borough are the guests at Moss Lane in the FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round.

Victory for Altrincham would bring a £20,000 bonus from the FA and a place in the First Round Proper where the Nationwide League clubs join the competition.

The next home league game is against Accrington Stanley (Tuesday 30th at 7.45pm), followed by a trip to Lincolnshire to play Spalding United in the FA Trophy on Saturday, 3rd November.

It is also a big week for the Youth side who travel to the Racecourse Ground to play Wrexham Youth in the FA Youth Cup, 1st Round Proper.

TV cameras will be there, recording the match for a Nike promotional video featuring striker Mario Daniel who hit four goals for the Manchester FA side last week.

Indeed, a number of the Youth side have been making their mark at representative level, too and amongst these was Lee Thompson who scored a hat-trick for the British Colleges team.

Ten Alty players were also in the Altrincham District FA side which crushed Macclesfield 8-2 last Sunday (21st).

The Reserves lost their manager Graham Wright last week, when he resigned to take up a scouting position but, guided by former assistant manager and ex-Robins' player, Paul Cuddy, they ran out 2-0 winners at Bamber Bridge last Saturday (20th) despite the sending off of striker Jason Anthony in the first 20 minutes.

Another person leaving Moss Lane last week was first-team midfielder Jeremy Illingworth, who has joined South Yorkshire side Stocksbridge Park Steels in the UniBond 1st Division.

The supporters' association (SAFE) invites everyone to attend their quiz night this Friday (26th) at Moss Lane, starting at 8pm (doors open 7.30pm).

Entry is only £2 per person and teams can comprise up to five people.

All profits will go towards assisting the Club which still needs every penny it can raise.

On this front, it is pleasing to note that attendances at Moss Lane have been good recently, with 741 watching the Blyth match and 841 for the FA Cup clash with Witton.

But there is still plenty of room for new supporters, so come along and support your local side and see some good football at close quarters- and at a fraction of the prices at Old Trafford or Maine Road.

COACH TIMES for FA Trophy game at Spalding United on Saturday 3rd November: Departs The Vine (Sale) at 9-40am, the Hare & Hounds (Timperley) at 9-50am, Station House (Altrincham) at 9-55am and the ground at Moss Lane at 10am.

Fares are £11 (adults), £9 (concessionaries), £3 (children under 12), £13 (non members of SAFE).