The A's are cock-a-hoop after beating rival Essendon 4-2 at 'The Snakepit' in Altona on Saturday.

After going to down to ladder leader Camberwell last week and with the Bombers reeling from a shock loss to cellar dweller Southern United, the scene was set for dour struggle.

It was a scrappy opening due to gusty winds and cold weather, before the Bombers scored after a breakdown in the defensive circle.

Altona was controlling the midfield and looked dangerous up front with pacy strikers.

It was experienced star Aidan Hicks who tied things up after a quick transfer from right to left. His shot from a tight angle left the Essendon goalie with no chance.

The A's took control, earning numerous penalty corners thanks to captain Matt Guest and one-time Victorian Vikings representative Mathew Higgins. A controversial call denied Tyson Priddle the easiest of goals after some intense goal line pressure, but the A's hit the front soon after.

A scintillating run through the midfield from Richard Hildreth found Hicks unmarked on the left side of the field.

Responding to a lead and call from Priddle, Hicks thumped a searching ball across goal where a diving Priddle claimed a neat deflection into the side netting.

However, just before half time, the Bombers again punished some loose defensive play and capitalised to level scores at 2-2.

A calm reminder of the game plan from coah Darren Duff and a determined mindset, fuelled by self belief, fired Altona to a stirring win.

Captain Guest put the A's in front with an unstoppable drag flick from a penalty corner. When Hicks fired in his second goal from a tight angle after some quality stick work, the A's were home.

The even team effort will give Altona confidence heading into a crucial away game against second-placed Doncaster this Saturday.