A LEAKY defence caused Bradford (Park Avenue) to drop points for a third consecutive game as Altrincham hit two goals inside a seven-minute second-half spell to win 3-2 at Horsfall Stadium.

There was more than a touch of fortune about the Robins’ sixth-minute opener and their second-half equaliser, but Avenue were still undone by them, which was frustrating as they had looked good going forward and created chances.

Manager Mark Bower said: “Every defeat is disappointing, but to lose a game when you have been the better side hurts a bit more.

“I thought we played some good football throughout and unlike some games they didn’t have spells of pressure. Altrincham had a good five or six minutes in the second half and that has won them the game because we haven’t dealt with it well.

“We could have been three up at half-time – we’ve hit the post and their keeper has made three or four very good saves. I thought we started the second half well and we scored a good goal to go in front and had a great chance to make it 3-1.

“But they go straight down the other end and all of a sudden they're level and within minutes they have the lead. That’s just the way it has been going for us recently.

“Even then we kept playing and created chances but we couldn’t take them and we shouldn’t have to keep scoring four or five goals to win games.”

Avenue almost broke the deadlock before Altrincham’s early opener as Chris Dawson sent in a fourth-minute shot that was parried by Robins’ keeper Elliot Wynne. Nicky Wore latched onto the rebound but his shot was blocked and scrambled away.

The visitors took the lead just two minutes later when a low ball into the goalmouth by John Johnson caused problems. The ball hit a divot and bounced up as Danny Lowe looked to hack it clear.

As Lowe attempted to re-adjust, the ball hit his toe and went back across the six-yard box. Avenue keeper Steve Drench pushed it out as far as Tom Peers who stabbed it back towards goal and the close-range shot somehow slipped under the home keeper.

Avenue came back and their pressing play was rewarded in the 40th minute when skipper Shane Killock netted a superb goal. The big centre-back was forward for a set piece and, when Nicky Clee’s free-kick was not cleared by the Altrincham defence, Killock spun to lash in a volley from an angle, giving Wynne no chance.

The home side were dominating the early stages after the interval and deservedly took the lead with a well-worked goal, Conor Branson picking the ball up on the halfway line and racing forward, playing a neat one-two with Jake Beesley, before slotting past Wynne at the second attempt.

The game slipped away from Avenue soon after as Johnson’s hopeful ball in hit a defender and looped over Drench. Robins’ boss Phil Parkinson made a change after the goal, Max Harrop replacing Owen Dale, and it took the substitute just minutes to make his mark as he netted the winner with a low, angled drive.