WITTON twice came back from behind to grab a share of the spoils at Leek on Saturday.

The youthful midfield duo Andy Barlow and Adam Foy were outstanding.

Albion ripped into a flat back four led by Paul Ogden, who managed North-wich Vics during the halcyon days of the 1970s.

In the opening 10 minutes Craig Sargeson saw his overhead kick caught by keeper Steve Hodgson while Simon Hughes's header was scrambled off the line.

It was against the run of play that Leek took the lead in the 21st minute. Wayne Johnson's hard driven free-kick struck Mike Moseley's arm and the referee pointed to the spot. Carl Frost, who had two spells at Witton, dispatched the penalty.

It only served to fire up Albion and they attacked immediately. Moseley chased down the left to win the ball before laying it into Sargeson's path whose shot struck the top of the crossbar.

A minute later Albion were back on level terms. Alex Kevan's cleverly flighted corner being met with a powerful Moseley header for his 30th goal of the season.

Witton were in full control and Hodgson did well to block a Moseley shot with Sargeson putting the rebound just wide. Gary Furnival then sliced an overhead kick and again Sargeson couldn't quite control his shot.

It came as a surprise when Leek scored again. Kevan was caught dallying by Frost who was able to advance unchallenged to calmly draw Paul Gibson and slot the ball home.

A Kevan corner with ten minutes left again saw a Hughes header scrambled off the goal-line.

Gibson kept Albion in the match three minutes later by blocking a fierce Dave MacPherson header from point-blank range.

Just a minute of normal time remained when substitute Simon Burton laid the ball off to Sargeson in space. Sargeson made ground and his shot from 15 yards flew into the net off defender Gary Sucharewycz.

WITTON: Gibson; Salt, Hughes, Furnival, Tickle; Foy, Kevan (Burton 81), Stannard (Yates 66), Barlow; Moseley, Sargeson (Carden 90).

Att: 274 Star Man: Andy Barlow, drove from midfield Next Best: Adam Foy Team Rating: 3 Match Rating: 4

Bishop Auckland 1, Witton Albion 2

ALBION had to draft in teenage signing Adam Carden and reserve striker Adam Clarke to make up the 14 for the game in Durham on Wednesday.

For various reasons they were without Brian Pritchard, Darrell Dicken, Mike Moseley, Gareth Evans and Dave Nolan.

They began well, but a Craig Sargeson miss appeared expensive when midfielder Shaun Hope, spotting Gibson off his line, struck a 30-yard shot that curled into the top right-hand corner of the net.

Whatever was said at half-time in Albion's dressing room had the desired effect as within two minutes of the resumption the score were level.

Adam Foy lifted a high ball in from the left touchline and Sargeson got between two defenders before squeezing his shot past Caffry.

The goal set the scene for the whole of what was probably Albion's best 45 minutes of the season.

The enthusiastic bunch of Witton supporters were not kept waiting too long for the winner and in the 53rd minute Sargeson again provided the telling ball and this time it was Andy Barlow the recipient.

He turned well at the near post and produced a delicate touch to send it wide of Caffry and into the far corner of the net to register his first goal in Albion's colours.

A wave of Albion attacks failed to produce another goal, but victory was assured. WITTON: Gibson; Salt, Hughes, Furnival, Tickle; Foy, Kevan, Stannard (Yates 73), Barlow; Sargeson, Burton (Carden 90).

Att: 168 Star Man: Craig Sargeson, defrocked the Bishops Next Best: Danny Salt Team Rating: 4 Match Rating: 3