WREXHAM'S five game unbeaten run came to an end as Altrincham ran out 1-0 winners at The Racecourse.

The Reds had climbed up to fourth in the National League after finding some form last month but December began with defeat against the Robins, promoted via the National League North play-offs last season and going well themselves in the fifth tier.

The general delivery into the box was good from Wrexham in a first half they dominated with the Reds also looking dangerous from set-pieces.

Wrexham came close to scoring after getting on the end of free-kicks but Keates' men failed to take their chances when they were on top for the majority of the half.

And it came back to haunt them as Altrincham took the lead one minute before the break as Wrexham conceded from a corner yet again this season.

Wrexham were nowhere hear as effective in the second half and didn't create any opportunities of note or threaten an equaliser, with Altrincham proving difficult to break down.

The Reds were left to rue those missed chances when they had the upper hand for most of the opening period and will look to bounce back at high-flying Torquay this weekend.

Keates made four changes from the side that drew 1-1 against Bromley on Saturday to continue the unbeaten run.

Goalkeeper Rob Lainton suffered a nasty head injury at Hayes Lane so Christian Dibble, who came off the bench at Hayes Lane and produced a man of the match performance, was handed a first league start since October 2019.

Reece Hall-Johnson was preferred to James Horsfield in the right-back position but Keates had to make a change in midfield as Jay Harris was serving a one-match ban after picking up a fifth yellow card at the weekend with Jordan Davies coming back into the side.

Keates also decided to make a change on the wing with Elliott Durrell, who returned to Wrexham for a second spell from Altrincham in the summer, lining up against his former club in place of Anthony Jeffrey.

The game was just three minutes old when Wrexham hit the woodwork.

Davies sent in a free-kick and Theo Vassell's header rebounded back out off the crossbar.

A tame Altrincham effort was easily gathered by Dibble before the Reds created more chances.

Kwame Thomas saw a bicycle kick saved by goalkeeper Tony Thompson while captain-for-the-day Fiacre Kelleher only just cleared the bar with a header from Durrell's free-kick.

Durrell was not afraid to get a shot away against his former employers but he fired wide from long range as Wrexham continued to threaten.

Altrincham began to come more into the game but despite seeing a lot more of the ball, were unable to stretch the Reds' defence.

However, the visitors took a 44th minute lead.

Not for the first time this season Wrexham switched off at a corner and Richie Sutton headed home.

Dibble saved Josh Hancock's shot at the start of the second half and Kosylo also fired wide as Altrincham, buoyed by the goal, made a bright start.

Wrexham responded with Vassell heading wide from Jamie Reckord's corner and Keates made his first change on 65 minutes with Jeffrey replacing Paul Rutherford.

Altrincham were getting into better areas and Alistair Smith's volley was straight at Dibble who made an even better block to deny Joel Senior after the right-man beat two players in the area.

At the other end, an Adi Yussuf shot was fumbled by Thompson and Durrell tried to capitalise as he won a corner but it came to nothing.

Dan Jarvis and Jake Bickerstaff replaced Durrell and Yussuf with three minutes to go but Wrexham did not look like levelling and Altrincham ran out winners.

Wrexham (4-4-2): Dibble; Hall-Johnson, Kelleher, Vassell, Reckord; Rutherford (Jeffrey 65), Young, Davies, Durrell (Jarvis 87); Yussuf (Bickerstaff 87), Thomas. Subs: Horsfield, Redmond.

Altrincham (4-1-4-1): Thompson; Senior, Sutton, Hannigan, White; Moult; Kosylo, Smith, Hancock (Densmore 72), Colcough (Peers 64); Ceesay (Sass-Davies 78). Subs: Miller, McDonald.