Words Alex Birch | Pictures Jonathan Moore

Rochdale 2 Altrincham 1

Alty returned from Rochdale empty-handed, despite a spirited display in Saturday's early kick-off at the Crown Oil Arena.

A low tempo opening 15 minutes saw the only half-chance fall to Rochdale forward Mani Dieseruvwe who headed against the Alty post from a corner, before Keaton Ward broke the game open with his first goal for the Robins on 19 minutes.

Kahrel Reddin took on and beat Tarryn Allarakhia down the right and clipped a cross into the box. The ball was headed away right into the path of Alty's number 10 who returned it with interest, on the volley and into the corner of Oliver Whatmuff's net.

The visitors continued to threatened down both flanks, with Reddin going close after cutting inside from the right, but Dale eventually made a succession of corners count on 35 minutes when the ball fell invitingly to Allarakhia in the box and the Tanzania international hammered home beyond Hutchinson.

Rochdale continued to push forward early in the second half as first Allarakhia and then Dieseruvwe had efforts stopped.

Unfortunately the pressure eventually produced a second goal for Dale, and a second goal for Allarakhia. The winger finding the corner of Hutchinson's net via a deflection to put the home side ahead on the hour.

Having taken the lead the hosts stepped off the gas a little and Alty shuffled their forward line as they looked for a way back into the game.

A half-chance fell the way of James Gale following a direct run from Knowles, but the best chance came and went for Lucas Weaver, who was put through by Tom Crawford only for Whatmuff to stand big and save.

There was one final chance for Alty which fell to Sam Reed deep in stoppage time, but his vicious shot was blocked at point-blank range; a challenge that ultimately secured the home side the three points.

Rochdale Whatmuff; Gordon, East (Pettit, 86'), Ebanks-Landell (c), Allarakhia (Tutonda, 71'), Gilmour, Dieseruvwe, Rodney (Amantchi, 85'), Adebayo-Rowling, Barlow (Pritchard, 76'), Beckwith. Subs not used: Hogan, Moss, Henderson.

Altrincham Hutchinson; Banks (c), Reed, Marriott (Kosylo, 79'), Gale (Crankshaw, 72'), Ward (Kirk, 72'), Knowles (Raymond, 90'+3), Reddin (Weaver, 76'), Crawford, Golden, Sassi. Subs not used: Barnes, Fallon.

HT 1-1

Goals Allarakhia 35', 60' | Ward 19'

Yellows Dieseruvwe 90'+4 | Gale 33', Ward 55', Crawford 69', Sassi 90'+4, Reed 90'+4

Reds None | None

Referee Will Davis

Assistants Thomas Harland & Matt Malton

Fourth official Joe Moss

Attendance 2,940 (430 away)

Next Up

It's Hartlepool United on Tuesday night at The J.Davidson Stadium for our third Enterprise National League clash of the season (kick-off 7:45pm).

General admission tickets can be bought in advance here OR on the night via our cash turnstiles. If you fancy an upgrade to hospitality in the John King Lounge click here for all the details.