LEE Sinnott saluted a wonder goal by James Lawrie and an equally spectacular all-round team effort as Altrincham beat Macclesfield 1-0 in the first derby between the clubs for 17 years at the J.Davidson Stadium on Tuesday night.

Alty were unrecognisable from Saturday’s 4-0 surrender to Welling United, as Lawrie rounded off a rousing overall performance with a first-time left-foot volley that dipped over the Macc keeper for the most dramatic of 90th-minute winners.

"That’s our first clean sheet and a fantastic response from the players in a local derby that means a hell of a lot to our supporters," said Alty boss Sinnott.

"We have risen to the challenge after Saturday, and I am delighted.

"Sometimes derbies can be a letdown, but not this one. It was on a knife-edge for the whole 90 minutes and was a really good, exciting contest, settled by a wonderful goal.

"I thought it was reminiscent of the play-off games against Brackley a couple of years ago and Guiseley last season, for the atmosphere our supporters created and the way they celebrated a famous win.

"It was a tremendous turnout, and I’m pleased the players showed why I have so much faith in them.

"The performance on Saturday hurt me personally, because of my belief in them, but, much as they were due criticism for that, they should rightly be praised for their

response.

"We spoke about what happened on Saturday and what was said afterwards. The conversation finished with a reminder that I believed in them but they needed to show why.

"This league is hard, especially when it smacks you in the face, so you either front up to it or shy away and cower in a corner.

"No team of mine is going to do the latter. You need certain attributes to get out of the battle zone at the bottom, and we showed them in abundance tonight.

"I know these players can play. I know they’ve got talent, or I’d have shoved them out of the door in the summer, but they need to deliver on all the requirements.

"They did tonight, and now it’s essential they do the same at Halifax on Saturday."

Striker Steven Gillespie was missing with a tight calf.