For the third season in succession Witton will probably count the cost of their Easter Monday fixture. Failure to hold onto a two goal lead against Grantham and total capitulation against Fleetwood lost vital promotion points and a nightmare 20 minute period at Hurst Cross may well go a long way to sealing their fate this time around.

The afternoon’s events had not started too badly and the faithful yellow bedecked Wittoners present, accounting for at least 50% of the attendance, were in fairly buoyant mood. Albion very nearly took the lead in the 8th minute when an errantly aimed high ball from home defender Alex Frost went inches wide of his own post. Kieran Lugsden, in the 21st minute, cut in from the left flank before sending a low shot narrowly wide of the upright.

In the 27th minute Albion eventually got their deserved opener when a cross from Brad Maylett saw home skipper Craig Robinson’s upraised hand spotted by the linesman and Michael Roddy stepped confidently up to strike the ball past terry Smith to open his Albion goal-scoring account. Controversially though referee Nick Greenhalgh, having booked Robinson for verbal dissent minutes before failed in his duty to show the defender a second yellow!

On the half-hour mark Gary Scott came to Albion’s rescue, as Ashton looked to be getting back on terms, when he produced a terrific headed clearance off the goal-line. Play quickly swung to the other end where Maylett again crossed with this time Mark Lees, more blatantly than the previous one, handling the ball, this time though the assistant kept his flag down!

Instead of being given the opportunity to go two goals up minutes later, it was all square. Greg Smith made a total hash of an over hurried clearance with the ball going straight to an opposing player, the keeper did manage to scurry back and parry the shot away but then inexplicably chased after the ball, that looked to being dealt with by Danny Warner anyway, and only succeeded in clumsily diving in and conceding a penalty that Iain Howard duly converted.

Nine minutes into the second period an Ashton free-kick was tapped to Gareth Richards who was given far too much space allowing him to turn easily and hit a low shot past Smith. The keeper was quickly forced into action again this time punching away a fiercely hit shot from Pat McFadden.

Witton at last got going in the half forcing a corner in the 63rd minute but with defenders caught out upfield the flag-kick was quickly cleared down the left flank and when the ball was swung over to the far post Ben Deegan was in unmarked to produce a diving header past the totally exposed Smith.

Six minutes later the home side went 4-1 in front when Brian Pritchard, who was probably having his worst game for years, got caught in possession and Richards was able to run on unchallenged to pick his spot past Smith.

Albion’s miserable 20 minutes was complete when another attacking move broke down, this time the ball played quickly down the right flank. Despite several chances to get the ball away as it bounced erratically between players in the area the culmination saw Deegan lash the ball into the far right side of the net.

Witton now with results going very much against them elsewhere now must bring all the points back against Worksop on Saturday (3pm) if they are to give themselves a fighting chance of league survival.

Attendance: 205.