ALTRINCHAM boss Graham Heathcote is expecting a tough test tomorrow when York City visit Moss Lane bidding for a fifth straight victory.

Heathcote has also called on the 'Alty' faithful to ensure that their fans are not outnumbered by travelling Minstermen supporters.

The Robins' average attendance this season is 1,053 with only Forest Green Rovers (932) and Canvey Island (884) boasting lower crowds.

City, meanwhile, are the second-biggest supported club in the Conference and Heathcote is worried that tomorrow's clash might seem like a home game for Billy McEwan's men.

He is also concerned about the Robins' task on the pitch, considering Altrincham's 5-0 defeat at KitKat Crescent back in September.

Heathcote said: "They are the one team that have really deserved to take us apart this season."

Altrincham's Conference status appears safe with a good start to 2006 moving them 11 points clear of the relegation zone.

But the Cheshire club have wobbled in recent weeks, losing their last two matches against Halifax (2-1) and lowly Crawley (2-0).

The defeat against Halifax brought an end to a four-match unbeaten home record in which Altrincham had collected ten points from a possible 12, beating Cambridge United (2-1), Aldershot (5-1) and Kidderminster (3-0), as well as drawing with Stevenage 1-1.

Altrincham also boast the Conference's third top scorer in former Crewe Alexandra striker Colin Little.

Only City's Andy Bishop and Justin Richards, of Woking, have managed more league goals this season than 33-year-old Little.

He has scored 12 times this term, but has failed to find the net in the Robins' last three outings.

Cash-strapped Altrincham could only muster 15 available outfield players for their last match against Halifax and have now lost stylish midfielder James Robinson, who has joined Richmond Eagles in Australia.

City match points

Altrincham v City

CITY'S only previous visit to Altrincham was on January 2, 1982 when they lost an FA Cup second round replay 4-3.

Brian Pollard (2) and Keith Walwyn were the scorers and the line-up was: Blackburn, Senior, Flood, Hood, Dawson, Kay, Pollard, Crosby, Walwyn, Ford, Bentham.

It Happened on March 4

1961: Barry Jackson was the scorer in a 1-1 draw at Carlisle and City were then fourth in the old Division Four.

1972: A 2-1 defeat at Barnsley left City lying in 18th place in Division Three (League One). John Mackin was the scorer from the penalty spot.

1978: A run of five successive defeats ended with a 2-0 win at Darlington with central defender Chris Topping scoring both goals, but City remained in the bottom four of the Fourth Division.

1986: Keith Walwyn was the scorer in a 1-1 draw at Bolton. The attendance at Burnden Park was 3,589 and City were left lying in 12th position in Division Three (League One).

Statistics supplied to the Evening Press by David Batters

Updated: 10:48 Friday, March 03, 2006