SOUTHPORT arrived in Altrincham unbeaten in their previous dozen league matches but they left the J.Davidson Stadium with the Robins having completed a deserved league double against them after a 1-0 victory.

And, for Altrincham, it was also an impressive response after a second-half mauling at National League North leaders Chorley last time out.

On a gloomy and damp afternoon, the first half against Southport was a tight, goalless affair in which the visitors looked marginally the better side. Altrincham's movement was too often sideways or backwards and little was created up front.

For their part, Southport won several corners without causing Alty keeper Tony Thompson too much concern otherwise.

The second half was a better spectacle as Altrincham dominated possession and were far more incisive going forward than they had been in the first half. Despite a steady stream of Southport fouls as Alty pushed forward, there were no clear chances from free kicks or open play until just before the hour mark.

Then, Altrincham won three successive corners, the last hotly disputed by the visitors.

The Sandgrounders failed to clear and Altrincham captain Jake Moult pounced at the back post to fire his side ahead.

The visitors' spoiling tactics came back to haunt them in the 71st minute when their sixth yellow card proved also to be Liam Edwards's second caution and he trudged off as the referee produced the inevitable red card.

And it got worse for Southport when substitute Dean Winnard injured himself in fouling Jordan Hulme and had to be stretchered off with a minute of normal time remaining.

ALTRINCHAM: Thompson, White, Hampson, Jones, Hannigan, Moult, Johnston, Richman, Hulme, Hancock, Harrop. Subs: Mantack, Williams, Sang, Densmore, Harrison.