United moved eight points clear at the top of the table as a Batt, fittingly, decided a tight game on Halloween. Damian Batt's low drive in the second half did the job and gave United all three points despite some stubborn resistance from their visitors.

With Matt Green and James Constable back after suspension United started with a very definite front three as the returning strikers  linked up with Jack Midson, and Green almost found a way through in the tenth minute as Batt's fine cross was only just intercepted by keeper Stuart Coburn.

It was Green's pace that paved the way for what should have been the opener as well. With twelve minutes gone he showed great commitment to get between two defender and sprint for goal. As the ball ran loose he poked the ball onwards for the ever alert Simon Clist who this time beat Coburn to the ball. Down went the midfielder, up came a yellow card for the keeper and United had a chance from the spot. Green took responsibility, despite Midson having scored the last one, but Coburn guessed right and plunged to his right to push the spot kick away at what I believe people call "a comfortable height for the keeper."

United stayed positive despite the setback, although Altrincham might have taken the lead with their first attack on 23 minutes as Colin Little miscued badly in front of goal. Little, the sole striker for much of the game, worked tirelessly while his team mates condensed play, took time off the clock when they could, and looked very solid.

That Little chance apart, it was a game being played mostly in the visitors' half even if chances remained elusive. Midson nodded a chanc over when offside then 'scored' when harshly adjudged offside again right on half time and those two decisions meant that ref Cooper was roundly booed off at the break

If anything the second half started even more one sidedly, Green having a chance blocked Constable going close and Altrincham dropping ever deeper. A goal was looking inevitable, and on Hallowe'en it surely had to come from Batt?

Another sustained period of pressure had seen Green inches away from a cross from sub Sam Deering, but with both full backs roaring forward and finding space it was Kinniburgh and Batt who found the way through. The young scottish left back crossed and saw the ball roll invitingly out towards the edge of the area. Batt, arriving at speed, thrashed the ball down into the turf from twenty yards and it arrowed perfectly into the left corner of the net to give his side the lead and reward an excellent personal display with his first goal for the club.

Altrincham came forward after that, which created space and made the game more enjoyable on the eye. Constable and Deering fired over from the edge of the area  but the away side continued to defend stoutly and it took a goalline clearance from the superb Kinniburgh on 85 to deny Densmore what would have been a real smash and grab equaliser.

United could find no further way through to get close to Coburn but were good value for another three point,s perhaps more comfortable than the scoreline suggests.

Join us next week as United welcome Yeovil Town at home in the FA Cup.

Att: 5,609

Away: 79

Fifty/50 number: 39726

Report by Chris Williams

See the goals,  the key men and Chris Wilder's thoughts on the game in Yellow Player.