A VERY unhappy Easter for Witton Albion means that their bid to stay in the UniBond Premier League will go down to the wire.

A disappointing 0-0 home draw with already-relegated Prescot Cables on Good Friday was followed up on Easter Monday by a 5-1 demolition at Ashton United.

The results leave Witton back in the bottom four with just three games to save themselves.

Manager Gary Finley says that the situation facing the team is the same as when he and Lee Coathup took over first-team management in November last year.

“Nothing has changed for us,” he said. “People talk about these being big games and cup finals for us but it was like that when we took over. It was like that when we were at the bottom of the league.

“A bit of nervousness is creeping into our play but we have got to train hard and get on with it.

“We have got three games left and although they will be tough, they are all winnable games. If we get three wins or two wins a draw then we will be safe.”

On Monday, Albion took the lead at Ashton’s Hurst Cross ground on 27 minutes when Michael Roddy converted a penalty.

Their lead lasted just eight minutes though when Ashton scored a penalty of their own through Iain Howard.

In the second-half, Witton capitulated and two goals each from Gareth Richards and Benjamin Deegan completed the shock scoreline.

“We were poor in the second half”, added Finley. “We had praised them at half time for their efforts but we just capitulated in the second half.”

This Saturday, Witton go in search of three vital points at midtable Worksop Town and next Wednesday they face a vital six-pointer at relegation rivals Whitby Town (7.45pm) in a rearranged fixture.

Albion are fourth from bottom but have a game in hand on the two sides above them, Cammell Laird and Matlock Town.