PASSION, pride and no little skill were not enough for Kendal as they chased a place in the FA Cup's first-round proper on Saturday, but the majority of the 640 spectators would admit that they deserved something for their efforts, writes Richard Daniels.

While they looked superior to their Bluesquare Premier opponents for long periods of this fourth qualifying round tie, they just could not force that all- important goal.

Instead the embattled Cheshire side, with just two wins in the league this season, sneaked away with the honours courtesy of striker Colin Little's scrappy 32nd minute effort.

What Kendal would have given for the toepoke in from close range that Little was allowed in what was a very rare moment when the home defence let its concentration slip.

Lee Ashcroft's side posed plenty of early threat and although keeper David Newnes made a comfortable first save off Chris Seniors, the audible gasps were for Town seconds later as Gareth Arnison burst clear on to a through ball.

He outpaced two defenders but slanted a weak effort well wide of the far post much to the relief of Altrincham keeper Stuart Coburn.

Three minutes later, Altrincham faced another scare when former player Peter Wright turned his marker smartly and loosed a well-struck low shot from 25 yards that was heading inside the post before Coburn dived well to beat it away.

Altrincham knew they would have to produce more than possession football, and in the 18th minute a flick-on header fell temptingly for Little, but he failed to connect.

Kendal's urgency rattled the visitors and Coburn took too much on when he beat Craig Hobson to a 50-50 ball and decided to dribble around him only to slip when clearing.

The ball was moved across to Lee Mulvaney but, with the keeper struggling to get back, he fired over the bar.

After surviving those frights, Altrincham were allowed to get into the tie after 32 minutes when an innocuous throw on the left was worked across the box to Joe O'Neill who took advantage of a defender's slip to chip it back across goal. Newnes missed an attempted punch away, leaving Little to steer the ball into the unguarded net.

Even then Kendal might have levelled the scores three minutes later from a Callum Warburton free kick, but Arnison's neat inside flick with his back to goal found Coburn perfectly positioned.

When Newnes saved well off O'Neill going up to half time there was still plenty of hope for the second half.

Altrincham showed much less enterprise in the second half as they guarded the lead with a packed defence and Kendal enjoyed lengthy periods of dominance.

But it was from setpieces that the home side threatened most with free kicks from Michael Cole and Warburton just failing to find find the top corner, Warburton's well-judged effort was goalbound but drew a fine fingertip save from Coburn.

Kendal's tenacious defence had few real scares, though Tony Hallam made two vital last-ditch tackles.

Kendal remained full of spirit and when substitute Zach Clark - on for Arnison - beat a handful of opposing players on a mesmeric run, the reward seemed imminent.

Kendal kept the pressure on and the pull-back reached Mulvaney, but he stroked his attempt to curl the ball in the far corner wide of the post.

The Cup adventure ended with perhaps more emotion than necessary after the final whistle as Altrincham manager Graham Heathcote had to be restrained by his players for almost five minutes after taking exception to a remark from Ashcroft.

The Altrincham party decided to leave the ground without partaking of the after-match buffet and drinks provided.

In the televised draw the winners were drawn at home to League One side Millwall.

HOW THEY RATED: Newnes 7, Forbes 8, Byrne 8, Hallam 8, Whittal-Williams 7, Cole 7, Hobson 7, Warburton 8,. Arnison 7 (Clark 66min 7). Wright 7, Mulvaney 6 (Wilkes 77min 6). Subs (unused): Dyson, Henry, Wood. Att: 641 L Star man: Callum Warburton - great reading of game, composure and almost put the trademark free kick in at the angle.