ALTRINCHAM new boy Jody Banim made himself an instant hit at Moss Lane by scoring to sink the Robins’ ailing Blue Square Premier neighbours Northwich Victoria.

Banim’s 28th minute strike was all Alty needed to secure a victory which lifts them three places to 12th and puts them firmly back on course to achieve boss Graham Heathcote’s target of a top-half finish.

Yet Banim, the ex-Droylsden, Stalybridge and Radcliffe star, who joined Alty in the transfer-window from runaway league leaders Burton Albion, might not have been handed his first start had the Robins’ star striker Colin Little not been sidelined with a hamstring injury, which now threatens to keep him out for several weeks.

Banim was on hand to blast home from close range after Vics’ keeper Ryan Clarke had spilled Matt Doughty’s free-kick.

Northwich’s former Altrincham winger Lee Elam wasted two of several chances to equalise as rock-bottom Vics were sent spinning to a defeat which pushes them ever nearer relegation.

STALYBRIDGE Celtic’s Blue Square North derby with Tameside rivals Hyde United was postponed due to snow.