Altrincham midfielder Shaun Densmore was harshly red-carded after only 20 minutes for a late challenge which caught on-loan winger Yannick Bolasie.
The Congolese youngster was perhaps fortunate to escape with a yellow card soon afterwards for a high tackle on Robins skipper Robbie Lawton.
Club captain Andy Burgess marked his return from suspension with the opening goal – his right-foot drive from 30 yards finding the bottom corner after keeper Andy Ralph punched out Michael Corcoran's cross.
Chris Senior wasted a golden opportunity to equalise and it was game over when Lee Tomlin's deflected shot went in, moments after Simon Brown had been denied by Greg Young's goalline clearance.
Altrincham striker Colin Little hit the post early in the second half and Diamonds had a goal disallowed when Michael Rankine was adjudged offside.
However Tomlin's corner was flicked home by Curtis Osano for his first senior strike.
The only doubt was whether the game would finish as the fog descended over Moss Lane. But, despite a helping hand from the referee, Diamonds had deserved three points and should have scored more goals.
Man of the match Burgess doubled his tally with a superb solo effort, ghosting past several half-hearted challenges before placing another right-foot shot into the corner of the net.
Altrincham: Ralph; Smith, McGregor, Young; Densmore, Lawton (sub Peyton, h-t), Danylyk, Doughty; Johnson, Little (sub Meechan, 68 mins), Senior (sub Elam, 68 mins). Subs not used: Coburn, Lane.
Diamonds: Roberts; Corcoran, Osano, Hope, Jelleyman; Tomlin, Wolleaston (sub Boden, 68 mins), Burgess, Bolasie (sub Kelly, h-t); Rankine, Brown (sub Clare, 61 mins). Subs not used: Fortune, Smith.
Referee: Mr R Joyce.
Goals: Burgess (26 mins, 0-1); Tomlin (37 mins, 0-2); Osano (65 mins, 0-3); Burgess (87 mins, 0-4).
Sending-off: Densmore (serious foul play).
Booking: Bolasie (foul).
Attendance: 924 (away fans 50).
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