Altrincham 0-0 Boston United

Dennis Greene's side could have claimed all three points at Moss Lane after creating a number of presentable chances, with Lewis King only occasionally called into action.

The result also helped banish the demons of United's two shattering defeats at Altrincham in each of the last two seasons.

With head injury victims Conor Marshall and Junior Konadu ruled out, Rene Steer and Indy Aujla deputised although Aujla's night nearly only lasted five minutes.

He flew in on Skrill North player of the month Nicky Clee but was handed only a yellow card for his troubles.

United had another let-off when Carl Piergianni hauled down James Walshaw and was booked, with the home crowd and players baying for red. Shaun Densmore crashed the free-kick a fraction too high.

United started to create with home keeper Stuart Coburn making a good save to claw Liam Agnew's shot to safety, with Ricky Miller seeing his follow-up blocked.

The ever-dangerous Damian Reeves planted a free header too high for Altrincham, while Spencer Weir-Daley saw a close-range effort deflect fractionally wide for a corner.

Coburn made the save of the match to deny Miller following a barnstorming run down the left which culminated in a low driven shot from 18 yards.

Altrincham enjoyed plenty of possession after the break, but United created the best chances.

United keeper King made saves to deny long-range efforts from James Lawrie and Simon Richman, while Coburn kept out a swerving drive to deny Miller following a clever assist from substitute Marc Newsham.

Miller then sliced an effort wide following Scott Garner's incisive pass, before shovelling another effort off target following Ben Fairclough's cross.

There was also time for Jamie McGhee to crash a drive fractionally wide after marauding forward from right-back having started the move.

Altrincham (4-4-2): Stuart Coburn; Shaun Densmore, Gianluca Havern, Scott Leather, Adam Griffin; James Lawrie, Simon Richman, Carl Rodgers, Nicky Clee (Jake Moult 35); Damian Reeves, James Walshaw (Kyle Perry 76). Subs (not used): Tom Marshall, Matt Doughty, Greg Wilkinson.

Boston (4-1-3-2): Lewis King; Jamie McGhee, Scott Garner, Carl Piergianni, Rene Steer; Jay Dowie; Ben Milnes (Stefan Galinski 77), Liam Agnew, Indy Aujla (Ben Fairclough 65); Spencer Weir-Daley (Marc Newsham 77), Ricky Miller. Subs (not used): Ian Ross, Andy Hewitt (gk).

Referee: Jonathan Hunt

Attendance: 650 (60 visitors)