ALTRINCHAM 0, WEALDSTONE 1
Olufela Olomola dented Altrincham’s recent revival with Wealdstone’s matchwinner at the J Davidson Stadium.
The former Southampton U23 striker condemned the Robins to back-to-back defeats following Saturday’s heavy loss at Wrexham.
It followed a four-match unbeaten run which had lifted the Robins clear of the relegation places in the National League as they remain 17th.
It was a huge win for Wealdstone as it halted a run of five straight defeats and their slide down the table as they climbed to 13th place.
It was a frustrating opening period for Altrincham who had three shouts for a penalty rejected.
And the jeering of referee Greg Rollason underlined the unpopularity of the match official.
In truth, the Robins were lucky to finish the first half goalless as Wealdstone had the better chances as they were a threat on the break.
Charlie Barker’s cross took a sizeable deflection as it struck the crossbar with Tarryn Allarakhia putting the rebound wide from an inviting position.
The shortly before half time, the Robins were caught again on the counter as Micah Obiero raced down the centre of the pitch from his own half and his drive from 25 yards brought a fine save from Ollie Byrne to turn the effort behind for a corner.
The visitors were quick out of the blocks after the restart as they made the breakthrough after 90 seconds.
Olomola met Giovanni McGregor’s cross from the left at the near post to glance a shot high into the top far corner, the third goal of the season.
Altrincham were unlucky not to equalise when Ryan Colclough, the former Crewe, Wigan and Nottingham Forest player, cut in from the left and bent a shot which clipped the far post.
The Robins, who had a fourth claim for a spot kick rejected, this time Colclough tumbling in the penalty area, finished the game strongly laying siege to the visiting goal.
Ross Barrows had a great chance, but his angled shot was well beaten out by goalkeeper Sam Howes. And that was followed by substitute Marcus Dinanga slicing a shot wide from inside the six-yard box when he looked certain to score.
In the dying minutes of normal time, Chris Conn Clarke had the ball in the net only to have it ruled out for offside, Jake Cooper’s header flashed narrowly past the upright from a corner and substitute Ben Pringle forced an important save from Howes.
And not even seven minutes of added time could help Altrincham conjure an equaliser on a deeply frustrating night.