UNBEATEN in 2009 and now out of the league’s relegation zone, Witton are enjoying a happy new year under Gary Finley.

After two consecutive victories on the road, Albion finally took maximum points from a home league fixture, their first since early October.

And what an encounter to do it in, as Saturday’s last-gasp 2-1 victory came against FC United of Manchester and watched by a crowd of 1,030.

In past seasons, Witton have buckled under the pressure of being in the spotlight but Finley’s men put in a brave and resolute performance and snatched all three points in the 90th minute.

Finley said: “Since I have come back, the home fans have been starved of wins and good team performances. But now, this group of players are beginning to deliver those performances.

“The game, from a supporters’ point of view, was very entertaining. We did look tired after hard games against Marine and Altrincham but we worked really hard and got behind the ball and dug in for the win.”

Lee Thompson got the ball rolling a minute before half-time with a bullet header past impressive United keeper Sam Ashton.

After the break, the visitors – backed by their vociferous hordes who accounted for two thirds of the crowd – stamped their authority on the game and levelled through Tristam Whitman who poked the ball past Greg Smith.

Both sides had chances to forge ahead, including United hitting Albion’s woodwork on four occasions, but it was the hosts that stole the points.

Neil Black, who had been thwarted twice earlier by Ashton, applied the final touch to a deflected shot that saw the ball trickle over the line to the delight of the Wittoners packed in behind the goal.

Finley led the players’ salute to the fans after the final whistle but warned that there is still a long way to go.

“We can’t relax, even though we have taken nine points from the last three games. If you look at the table we are nowhere near being out of the woods yet,” he said.

“We have got to keep on going and hopefully the bits of luck that we are deservedly getting at the moment will continue.”

Last night Witton hosted Marine in the fourth round of the UniBond Challenge Cup and this Saturday, Albion travel to Eastwood Town (3pm).

For a match report, go to www.midcheshirechronicle.co.uk