Competition: Blue Square Premier
Weather at kick-off: breezy, bright
Goals:
Altrincham: Lawton 45'

Altrincham:
Andy Ralph, James Smith, Mark McGregor, Greg Young, Matt Doughty; Shaun Densmore (Warren Peyton 78'), Robbie Lawton (c), Anthony Danylyk; Chris Senior (Lee Elam 68'), Dale Johnson (Chris Lane 88'), Colin Little.
Subs not used: Stuart Coburn, Alex Meechan.

Cambridge United:
Danny Potter, Dan Gleeson, Phil Bolland, Wayne Hatswell, Anthony Tonkin; Mark Convery (Chris Holroyd 82'), Paul Carden (c), Jon Challinor; Mark Beesley (Felino Jardim 52'), Scott Rendell, Lee McEvilly (Danny Crow 52').
Subs not used: Robbie Willmott, Stephen Drench.

Booked: Carden foul 68'

Cambridge United's run of eight games unbeaten in the league ended with a toothless defeat at Altrincham.

Gary Brabin made two changes to the side that won 1-0 at home to York on Tuesday, recalling Jon Challinor to midfield and handing striker Scott Rendell his first start since returning to the club on loan, with wingers Robbie Willmott and Felino Jardim dropping to the bench as the manager reverted to a 4-3-3 line-up.

Altrincham manager Colin Heathcote made one change to the team knocked out of the FA Cup by Luton on Tuesday following extra time and penalties, calling up midfielder Shaun Densmore in place of Warren Peyton.

The match got off to a lively start when Colin Little's volley drew a save from Danny Potter in the first minute, and on soon afterwards Dale Johnson's shot was blocked and cleared by Wayne Hatswell and Peyton followed up to win a corner. Hatswell and Lee McEvilly both made clearances as the home side set up camp around United's area before Potter claimed and launched a counterattack with a precise pass that Scott Rendell headed into Beesley's path, but a defender was arriving at the same time and Beesley could only lift the ball over the bar.

The striker went for goal again from outside the area on 11 but the shot flew over, and there was a lengthy stoppage when a minute later Lee McEvilly and Andy Ralph arrived at the same time for a ball into the area and the keeper stayed down for a few minutes' attention from the physio.

The pace of the game inevitably dropped after the lively start and the ground was almost silent for long spells as both sides tried but failed to impose themselves on the game, largely cancelling each other out with similar 4-3-3 line-ups. Densmore fired a long-range shot wide on 17 and at the other end Ralph showed that he had fully recovered when he saved Mark Convery's free kick and then plucked Beesley's cross from the air.

There was a slight scare on 25 as Potter came for a ball into the area but missed and Dan Gleeson made a superb tackle to prevent an almost certain goal, and as United counterattacked Rendell received a ball into feet just outside the area and turned sharply to send the ball just over the bar under close attention from James Smith.

United were testing the home side regularly but most moves foundered on the well-drilled Altrincham defence, but ten minutes before half-time United went close to breaking the deadlock. First Beesley connected with Convery's free kick but fired narrowly over the bar, then McEvilly rode a challenge and stumbled into the area before prodding the ball to Beesley whose shot was palmed round the post by Ralph with Rendell closing in, and two minutes later Paul Carden drove a 25-yarder inches wide of the far post with Beesley following in..

Convery had another free kick claimed by Ralph five minutes before half-time but the home side took the lead against the run of play on the stroke of half-time. It was a goal from nothing as Robins' captain Robbie Lawton connected with Bolland's headed clearance and drove a low shot beyond Potter and just inside the far post from 25 yards.

There were chances for both teams in stoppage time as Little nodded a cross wide and Convery had a free kick and a cross hacked away before a scrappy half ended.

Half-time summary from match commentator Mark Johnson:
"United have had their chances but haven't converted them, not for the first time, whereas Altrincham have taken full advantage of their rare chance to take the lead. Work to do in the second half."

Second half:
The home side resumed brightly and Little buried a chance into the sidenetting before Beesley ran from deep to play a one-two with McEvilly just outside the area but fired into the keeper's hands, and a half-chance followed as Beesley flicked the ball on to Rendell who drove wide from 25 yards.

Just seven minutes into the half Gary Brabin made a decisive double-change to bring on Felino Jardim and Danny Crow for Beesley and McEvilly and switched to 4-4-2, with Jardim and Convery in the wide positions and a new-look recently ex-Peterborough front pairing of Crow and Rendell.

Before the U's side had settled, Altrincham had a golden opportunity to double their lead when a quick free kick towards Little was uncharacteristically miscued by Hatswell, but fortunately Little put it wide, and three minutes later the U's defence backed off as Densmore advanced before unleashing a shot wide of the post.

United threatened on the hour when Jardim crossed to Crow but the striker was caught by Young as he was about to shoot, and although the resulting free kick ended in the net, Gleeson had clashed with Ralph at the far post and both men needed brief attention before resuming.

Rendell headed a Convery free kick just wide from near the penalty spot and on 68 Gleeson's cross was just too high for the tall striker, and as the home side countereattack Paul Carden felled Lawton and was unsurprisingly booked.

Colin Heathcote made his first substitution to bring on winger Lee Elam for Chris Senior, just as United had their best spell of the game. Danny Crow lifted a superb cross into the area and Ralph made an excellent one-handed catch in front of Jardim, and as United kept the pressure on Crow headed a chance over the bar then Challinor picked up possession ten yards outside the area and had a low shot turned behind by the sprawling Ralph.

Crow's short corner was crossed by Challinor and spilled by Ralph, but Rendell's header was blocked and the offside flag ended United's good spell. Altrincham then enjoyed a spell of their own as Little's shot was charged down by Hatswell and on 76 Little headed the ball into Densmore's path and Potter got down well to save.

Altrincham's Warren Peyton replaced Densmore just before Dale Johnson fired wide, and with ten minutes remaining and United looking bereft of luck and ideas Convery's cross was headed behind by Young who also headed away the resulting corner. Convery lifted a free kick over the bar and into the crowd following McGregor's handball, and that was his final involvement as he was replaced by Chris Holroyd who took up station on the right wing.

Holroyd delivered an early ball that Ralph plucked from the air, but the home side finished strongly and with four minutes remaining Johnson headed Little's cross at Potter, Elam fired wide and then Little got past Hatswell but fired into the sidenetting.

Colin Heathcote's final substitution introduced defender Chris Lane in place of forward Johnson, but the home side weren't sitting back and on 88 Phil Bolland made a crucial interception as Elam headed the ball on towards Little.

In stoppage United had another good spell and did everything but score. Danny Potter's excellent long free kick into the area was met by Bolland, his header was parried by Ralph who then pushed Jardim's follow-up shot behind, and the corner was twice blocked before Rendell lifted it back into the area. United forced two further corners as Altrincham players threw their boots and bodies in the way, and Wayne Hatswell finally headed over the bar while off balance.

There was still time in the fourth minute of stoppage time for Carden to cross for Hatswell but the defender's firm header was too close to Ralph and the goalkeeper made a comfortable save to preserve the win. Gary Brabin had used almost every attacking option at his disposal but luck deserted the U's and the home side battled and scrapped to show why Moss Lane has become such a fortress this season.

Referee: Mr R. West

Attendance: 1,123 (away 255)

Match Summary by match commentator Mark Johnson:
"A Robbie Lawton goal on the stroke of half-time sent the U's crashing to a frustrating defeat at Altrincham. United started with an attacking formation with Mark Beesley just behind Lee McEvilly and Scott Rendell, but after Beesley missed an early chance United's front line faltered. Beesley and McEvilly were withdrawn shortly after the restart but there were a number of candidates for the hook after the lacklustre first period. United looked better after the break but hard-working Altrincham always looked more likely to score next until a late flurry from United almost found an ill-deserved equaliser."

Mark's Man of the Match:
"Paul Carden - worked hard in midfield on a disappointing day for United. Honourable mentions to Jon Challinor and Mark Convery; the midfield really were the stars of the show today."

Ref: Mr West - tried to play advantage and didn't make any mistakes that I can remember. 7/10."

AT081122