Altrincham v Alfreton Town preview

Reds manager Nicky Law will be looking for a big reaction from his squad following the 5-1 FA Cup fourth qualifying round replay crash at Lincoln City in midweek.

Law is expecting to have goalkeeper Cameron Dawson back for what promises to be another tough away game and there will be late fitness checks for some of the walking wounded after the Lincoln game.

Alfreton are second from bottom and with just one win from their last eight games in all competitions, urgently require a victory which could reinvigorate their season and close the gap on the teams immediately above them.

Altrincham manager Lee Sinnott will be without Adam Griffin who is suspended, Ryan Crowther who as a back problem and Mike Williams who is on loan at Stalybridge Celtic.

The Robins go into the game in 19th place, two places and two points above the relegation zone and a win for them would put some daylight between the Cheshire club and those below them.

Altrincham have had mixed fortunes on home soil this season although 13 of their total of 18 points have been won at their Moss Lane home. Wins have been secured against Bristol Rovers (2-1), Dartford (2-1), Macclesfield Town (1-0) and Braintree Town (1-0). There has been one draw, a 3-3 scoreline against Eastleigh, and four defeats have come against Lincoln City (1-2), Gateshead (0-1), Welling United (0-4) and Woking (0-3).

The sides drew 1-1 at the Impact Arena earlier in the season, Alty having an 89th minute Kyle Perry equaliser to thank for their point after Alfreton had led through Joe Ironside’s 42nd minute goal back on Tuesday, September 9.

Kick-off at Altrincham’s J Davidson Stadium is 3pm.