But it didn’t go the way anyone connected with the Shrimpers would have wanted.
And fundamentally it was as simple as one side taking their chances and one side missing them.
Blues were certainly not at their best and struggled to reach the standards set before their break.
Passes went astray more regularly than usual while the defence was also left more open and exposed than in previous weeks.
However, the chances were still there for the Shrimpers to have taken the lead and who knows what direction the game would have gone in had that happened.
Harry Cardwell has been regularly replied upon in front of goal by Blues so far this season.
But the striker was not at his clinical best at the weekend, heading a first half header wide of the left post when left unmarked before being denied by Altrincham goalkeeper Ethan Ross when well placed to score in the second period.
After kicking off the campaign with 11 goals in 15 games, Cardwell has now not scored in his last five appearances and is perhaps now slightly overthinking his opportunities due to being so eager to get back on the score-sheet.
Many on social media attributed the first miss to a new, far shorter hair-style but whatever the reason you still sense it won’t be too long until Cardwell nets again.
Sadly, from the Shrimpers’ perspective, Saturday’s misses proved pivotal due to Altrincham’s superior finishing at the other end of the field.
The Robins – who were returning from their own two week break – are a strong well-organised side at this level and seem well set for a push for the play-off places this season.
Saturday’s success made it 10 league games without defeat for Phil Parkinson’s side who remain fifth in the National League standings.
Blues slipped to 16th after the setback and will now be looking to bounce back after seeing their seven match unbeaten run in the league come to end.
That, of course, is still easier said than done at this stage with every injury and suspension hitting the Shrimpers harder than anyone else due to the transfer restrictions in place.
The calming influence of Cav Miley was a huge miss again on Saturday but by now the issues are well-known and cannot be sorted until the takeover is completed.
Talks continue where that is concerned and Friday’s EGM will be another step in the right direction.
But there is still work to be done elsewhere before Justin Rees and his consortium officially take charge.
Documents will be needed for the sale of the shares and properties, FA approval of the new consortium is still required as is adequate information being provided on all debts plus player and staff contracts.
Until then, the Shrimpers will continue to tread water and will struggle to acquire the sustainability needed to secure success consistently.
Those involved continue to insist the deal will be done and that there is nothing to by alarmed by.
But such is the importance of the situation and what it means for the future of the club there is incredible eagerness among those who care deeply for Blues to get it done as quickly as possible.
I certainly include myself in that category as we continue to see just what the Shrimpers could and should be when in the right hands.
Close to 500 fans made the long trip to roar on Kevin Maher’s side on Saturday and the level of support continuing to come the way of the players is simply outstanding.
The players, staff and management are also working wonders but they are very much papering over the cracks under the current regime.
A quick look at the Shrimpers substitutes bench underlines those issues every weekend and boss Maher has been unable to select the full allocation of five replacements all season.
Blues had just three subs at the weekend and will continue to crawl along until firm foundations are in place, both football wise and financially, to finally allow the club to kick on consistently.
