Altrincham brought on Aspinall for Iacovou at the start of the second half. FC's Tinning soon mounted a good attack up the left for FCUM and his low cross was met by Horner whose close range effort was well saved by Havern (46 mins).

After this shaky start, Altrincham began to get forward and a Davis shot was fumbled by the FC keeper before he regained it (52 mins). After an impressive run from Newton, Alty gained a freekick on the edge of the "D" for foot-up by Baird against Davis. The FC player was unfortunate to find himself booked for this. Davis's low freekick was held impressively at full stretch by Robinson, going to his left (56 mins).

For Altrincham, Knowles was making his presence felt as he pushed forwards. Next, Newton fired over the bar before a promising FC move ended with a cross hitting Callum Jones in the face as he bravely got the ball clear. Alty right-back Robbins was now felled on the Alty right. The resulting freekick was half-cleared to Newton, left of goal. The Alty winger hit a fine shot across the keeper to make the score 1-1 (60 mins).

United were now on the back foot and conceded a couple more fouls. Altrincham took advantage when the ball came in from their right and was knocked down by Knowles for Oyibo to slide a low shot into the net from 15 yards or so to give Altrincham the lead. Two goals had arrived for the visitors inside three minute to rock Rhodri Giggs's team (63 mins).

Just after Chorlton had headed a corner over the bar, the hosts brought on Shawcross for Tinning (66 mins). But Alty continued on top as Knowles cross prompted a header from Davis which was saved, then Aspinall's rising shot cleared the crossbar (69 mins). Altrincham now won a corner, when Fisher's freekick was mis-punched out of play by Robinson (77 mins). Two minutes later Ward was late in his challenge on Aspinall. Jones's freekick led to a cross from the left by Newton, which was just too high for Leather. However, as it bounced near the back post, Shawcross diverted the ball into his own net to give Altrincham a 3-2 lead (79 mins).

Immediately O'Gara came on up front for Altrincham, replacing Leather. Soon after an FCUM cross had flown right across the Alty goalmouth, an audacious 60 yard effort from Robbins was only just tipped over the bar by Robinson. Curiously the referee gave a goalkick (84 mins).

United now mounted some brief pressure and brought on Tuck for Jones (85 mins). Alty responded well with e back four holding firm and then further forward the visitors won two corners, the first from a Newton freekick. As the game went into five added minutes, Young came on for Altrincham, replacing Oyibo (90 mins).

A thunderous FCUM effort from near the left touchline was tipped out for a corner by Havern and the United keeper went forward to the Alty end to compete for it (93 mins). Indeed, Robinson actually got the ball following the corner but Altrincham defended well and, despite a further corner being won on the final whistle, they recorded a deserved win in an excellent match played in a very good spirit by both sides.