Alty had lost heavily on their previous visit to the Horsfall Stadium, last season, but the sides had played out an entertaining goalless draw at Moss Lane earlier this season. BPA lay second in the league table whilst Alty lay 16th at kick-off.

The game was played in steady rain more or less throughout and, in the second half, the visibility closed in quite markedly whilst the pitch became very heavy. Considering his Alty connections, it was surprising to see Angus Loughran ("Statto") sponsoring an away rather than a home game.

A fine all-round performance by Altrincham saw them come away from the Horsfall Stadium with a win from this FA Trophy 2nd Round tie. Rod Thornley got the decisive goal after just 8 minutes when he shot well from 12 yards after a pass by Gallagher from the right, which had followed good work by Craney. The second half was played in dreadful conditions with heavy rain making the pitch a gluepot and visibility being seriously reduced. Despite a lot of Bradford pressure Alty had the better chances and twice struck the crossbar as they played a breakaway strategy with marked success. Bradford's main threat came from Prendergast on the left but after early second-half Bradford pressure, Altrincham weathered the closing stages fairly comfortably.

Altrincham welcomed back Gary Talbot to central defence, which allowed Peter Band to play further forward behind Rod Thornley, who was supported by Ian Craney. Also returning to the starting line-up was Sean Smith, for his first start in five games on the left of midfield. Simon Woodford and Andy McDonald were missing from the side that played last Saturday, though Woodford was on the bench. Still out injured were Danny Murphy, Vernum Rowland and Neil Ryan. Kurt Edginton, who was last season's cover keeper, made his first appearance in an Alty squad this season.

In the pouring rain, all of the crowd huddled in the main stand, leaving the other three sides vacant apart from a small number of Bradford officials in the changing room complex on the far side of the pitch. Bradford fielded the same line-up as last Saturday except that Painter replaced Lindley.