Robins can wing to victory

Altrincham can take three vital points in their perennial relegation struggle when Woking are the visitors in the Blue Square Premier on Thursday evening. The match will be shown live on Setanta.

The Robins are 17-10 with Paddy Power, and that offers a bit of value in what promises to be a closely fought match. Alty have just squeezed out of the bottom four, wins against Northwich Victoria and Kidderminster Harriers and a draw against York City balancing last Saturday’s 2-1 away defeat at Cambridge United.

Although they invariably find themselves at the wrong end of the table, they do have a reliable striker in Colin Little and Graham Heathcote, the Altrincham manager, has been busy during the transfer window, bringing in seven players.

Woking, who are sixteenth in the table, will be satisfied with a season which has largely been about a young and untried side, at least by the standards of this league, trying to find their feet.

They showed rather more attacking intent than has generally been the case in a 1-1 home draw with Crawley at the weekend, but overall they too often struggle to create chances and that will always make them vulnerable.

William Hill are best about the visitors at 13-8, with the draw a general 12-5.