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Altrincham 2-0 Kettering

Kettering Town's play-off hopes were dented as they lost 2-0 to Altrincham in the Blue Square Premier on Tuesday night.

Alty had not won in seven games and had drawn their last four, but a sterling first-half display saw them take all three points at Moss Lane.

John McAliskey opened the scoring for the hosts after 34 minutes with Shaun Densmore adding a second from the penalty spot eight minutes later.

Lee Harper's side struggled to come to terms with their opposition in the opening exchanges with only Marcus Kelly and John Dempster looking to threaten their hosts.

But it was Kwesi Appiah who made the most significant early impact as he lost possession to Adam Carden, who in turn set Nicky Clee racing down the left touchline. Clee fed John McAliskey with a neat ball across goal, leaving the striker with a simple tap-in.

It went from bad to worse for the Poppies as Alton Thelwell was adjudged to have fouled Chris Senior in the box, leaving Densmore the relatively simple task of netting from the spot.

Altrincham could have extended their first-half lead as Senior saw two good chances go begging while McAliskey hit the crossbar.

The second half was a more evenly contested affair with neither side able to create any clear-cut chances with Clee coming closest for Alty with an effort that flew narrowly wide of goal.

Kettering's best efforts came as the match was winding down as James Jennings saw his header deflected over the bar before Dempster's well-hit shot was tipped over the goal by Altrincham keeper Stuart Coburn.

Altrincham bookings: Carden

Kettering bookings: Taylor, Thelwell, Jennings, Hadfield

Att: 690

Ref: Paul Curry