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Mansfield 2-0 Altrincham

David Holdsworth's Mansfield Town recorded a comfortable victory over Altrincham at Field Mill on Tuesday evening to end a three-match winless streak.

The Stags looked comfortable in front of the home support and the margin of victory would have been larger were it not for some brilliant work from Altrincham goalkeeper Richard Acton.

The opening exchanges saw both sides struggle to get into gear, as passes went astray and long balls were easily dealt with by the respective defensive lines.

Mansfield created the first real chance of the game in the 10th minute but Nathan Arnold's low shot was turned around the post by Acton.

They continued to push forward and Acton was a rock at the back for the Robins, denying efforts from Curtis Shaw and Oliver Hotchkiss.

Stags defender Gary Silk came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock from another corner just minutes later but his volleyed effort flew narrowly wide from 20 yards out.

Altrincham were struggling to deal with the sustained pressure on their goal and the home side finally got the breakthrough they were looking for in the 29th minute.

Hotchkiss sent an inswinging free-kick into the box and Scott Garner managed to get a foot on the ball and blast it past Acton from close range.

Holdsworth's side were certainly on the front foot, and Garner came close to doubling his side's tally just five minutes later, but nodded the ball just wide from Ryan Williams' cross.

The visitors made a flying start to the second half as Anthony Danylyk and Shaun Densmore both fired just wide of the target.

They were made to rue their lack of accuracy as the hosts doubled their advantage in the 52nd minute.

Arnold beat Alty skipper Greg Young to the ball and poked it past him before slotting his shot under the onrushing Acton to make it 2-0.

Mansfield should have further extended their lead six minutes later when Acton fumbled a cross but Rob Duffy was unable to capitalise on the mistake.

Duffy forced Acton into a full-stretched save with a diving header before team-mate Garner headed just over minutes later.

The Robins clawed their way back into contention and produced their best chance of the game when Anthony Danylyk's effort from 18 yards clipped the crossbar.

They went on to dominate the closing stages of the match but Mansfield's defence held firm and goalkeeper Jason White made a number of good reaction saves.

Mansfield bookings: Hotchkiss, Garner.

Altrincham bookings: Denham.

Ref: R Madley (Ossett).

Att: 1,682.