ALTRINCHAM boss Graham Heathcote heaped praise on his on-song Robins after they had maintained their surge up Blue Square Premier with an impressive 3-1 win at Salisbury on Tuesday night.

But Alty were given a helping hand towards a triumph which means they've now picked up 13 points from the last 15 as Salisbury had two players sent off.

Home defender Jonathan Bass saw red after only 13 minutes and team-mate Andy Sandell then followed him in being ordered off shortly after the hour mark.

Colin Little's 47th-minute strike put Alty on course for a victory which takes them up two places to 15th and Dale Johnson effectively sealed it when he made it 2-0 with five minutes left.

Nine-man Salisbury did manage to pull a goal back through Charlie Griffin deep into stoppage-time, but there was still time for Joe O'Neill to add Altrincham's third from the penalty spot.

Said Heathcote: "People might say that, under the circumstances, this was an easy three points for us, but there's no such thing as that in this league.

"The lads are now starting to believe they can give anyone a game in this division."

Meanwhile, crisis-torn Northwich Victoria remain rock-bottom despite coming from behind to hold visiting Kidderminster to a 1-1 draw.

Brian Smikle gave Kiddie a 48th-minute lead but Vics fought back to snatch a point courtesy of Ryan Brown's 81st minute equaliser.