A pair of reliable Robins hit the mark as Altrincham weathered an early Truro City onslaught to win 2–0 at Moss Lane.
The game could have been well and truly over before Declan Howe put the hosts ahead after 27 minutes, with Altrincham indebted to an inspired goalkeeping performance from young Luke Hutchinson.
The Bolton Wanderers loanee made multiple saves in the early exchanges to deny Caleb Roberts, Tyler Harvey and Freddie Issaka — the latter also striking the post.
To the relief of the home crowd, Howe flew in with the Robins’ opener, before teammate Liam Humbles capitalised on a mix-up at the back to double their lead three minutes before the break.
Truro’s starting XI showed three changes from the side that held play-off chasers Southend United to a 1–1 draw under the Tuesday night lights at Roots Hall. Midfielder Harry Kite made way for his namesake Harry Charsley, while in attack Issaka and the returning Harvey replaced Saikou Janneh and City’s goalscorer in Essex, Rekeil Pyke.
The mid-table Robins — 15th going into the game — had taken four points from a possible six in back-to-back fixtures against high-flyers Forest Green Rovers (1–1) and Boreham Wood (3–1) before disappointing results against struggling Morecambe (1–1) and Yeovil Town (0–1).
Their inconsistency continued with three wins in their previous four National League outings, although a 5–1 hammering at Tamworth in late February showed they were certainly vulnerable to a basement-dwelling Tinners side desperately in need of points.
Relegation rivals Brackley Town were involved in the day’s early kick-off, mounting a terrific comeback to draw level from 3–0 down at Boreham Wood, before ultimately losing 5–3 in a thriller at Meadow Park. Thus, the deficit to Truro’s step-one safety remained at 11 points.
Knowing the task ahead, the Tinners raced out of the blocks, with Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain’s throw falling nicely for Will Dean, whose shot was charged down.
Back they came again, with Issaka working his magic before unleashing a drive from outside the box that cannoned off the woodwork.
Space then opened up for Roberts, who accepted the invitation to shoot and duly stung the palms of the overworked Hutchinson.
He was called upon again almost immediately, as Harvey played in a hungry Issaka, who forced the stopper into another excellent save.
Harvey then tried his own luck in the next wave of visiting pressure, scuffing wide after capitalising on a defensive calamity, before heading straight into Hutchinson’s gloves after rising highest to meet Dean’s free-kick.
Issaka was also denied — three times in quick succession — during a remarkable period of play that ultimately bore no fruit and allowed the Robins to take advantage, with Howe and Humbles scoring either side of Aidan Stone tipping a Kahrel Reddin strike over his crossbar.
Stunned, Issaka looked to make something happen for Truro, turning stylishly and nutmegging his marker before firing in a low shot that was kept out by a strong Hutchinson hand, leaving City to head into the break wondering what more they could do to dirty his sheet.
Their attempts to pick the lock continued after the interval, with Dominic Johnson-Fisher collecting the ball and charging forward before being shut down just shy of the Robins’ box.
He was involved again almost on the hour, when a deflected Charsley shot spun into his path, leading to a cross that was headed behind for a corner.
The chances kept coming at regular intervals, but still Hutchinson remained resolute.
George Cooper got his head to the ball but couldn’t make good enough contact to test the custodian, who underlined his deserved contendership for the sponsor’s man of the match by keeping out a low strike from Johnson-Fisher.
With manager John Askey in the stands — serving the first of two matches away from the dugout following his red card in the recent defeat to Boreham Wood — assistant Stewart Yetton went for broke, introducing Luke Jephcott, Pyke and Janneh in search of a late salvo that never arrived.
Other results, including an incredible 5–0 win for Morecambe at Sutton United and a 2–1 triumph for Gateshead at Solihull Moors, leave the Tinners seven points adrift at the bottom and still 11 from safety.
Following four weeks of midweek fixtures, City are now afforded some brief respite ahead of next Saturday’s visit of Hartlepool United to The TCS, before Scunthorpe United travel to Cornwall the following Tuesday (March 17).
For more information and ticket details, visit trurocity.co.uk.
Tinners: Stone, Riley-Lowe (capt) (Law, 54), Dean, Harrison, Harvey (Pyke, 72), Johnson-Fisher (Janneh, 82), Oxlade-Chamberlain, Roberts, Issaka (Bell, 82), Charsley, Cooper (Jephcott, 81).
Subs Not Used: Lavercombe, Kinsey.
Altrincham: Hutchinson, Cooper, Grant, Marriott, Howe (Weaver, 59), Knowles, Reddin (Reed, 87), Crawford (capt), Forde (Barnes, 46), Humbles, Jones (Kirk, 88).
Subs Not Used: Bailey, Fallon, Mattison.
Referee: Richard Aspinall.
Attendance: 2,148 (132 away).