Phil Parkinson backed his Altrincham players to manage soaring expectations after they reinforced their hold on sixth place in the National League with a fourth straight victory at The J.Davidson Stadium on Tuesday night.

After seeing off Oxford City 2-1 before the TNT Sports cameras on Saturday evening, the Robins returned to home territory to keep their winning run going by the same scoreline as Chris Conn-Clarke gave them the lead and Alex Newby restored it late on after Aldershot Town had equalised from the penalty spot.

It means Alty are now four points clear of the team immediately below them, Eastleigh, and in a confident mood for the toughest of tests this coming Saturday, when they head to the North East to take on fourth-placed Gateshead.

“Expectations are a good thing, I’ve no problem with that,” said Alty boss Parkinson. “Even when we were part-time, people kept telling me we should be in the play-offs, so it’s nothing new. There is a togetherness in the group that is the cornerstone of everything we do here, and when everyone is on the same page, it does lead to success.

“We will never have a team of individuals. We have flair players, talented individuals, but they are all pulling together. They are all putting a shift in for us, so we are getting something right in terms of player recruitment and the system we play. If we continue in that vein, this trajectory will keep going.

“I thought Chris Conn-Clarke was outstanding, as was Justin Amaluzor against his old team. They were a real thorn in their side.

“Alex Newby really complemented them, and I thought Dior Angus had one of his best games for us, linking up the play and unlucky not to score.

“This team last season probably wouldn’t have come back and won it after conceding an equaliser. But the defence is a lot more robust, and that comes from sticking with young lads and being patient while they gained experience at this level. We are now reaping the rewards for that.”