LOOKING to end a run of 10 successive league defeats, Albion welcomed back scoring sensation Mike Moseley on loan from Bradford Park Avenue.
He netted 147 times for Albion previously but was unable to add to his tally as Witton slipped further behind at the basement of the UniBond Premier.
Fielding several newly registered players the visitors swept into a 12th-minute lead when tall striker Andy White turned Albion’s own debutant Paul Booth before firing the ball across home keeper Greg Smith and into the net.
Ten minutes later, a mix-up involving Smith and Kieran Lugsden presented Chris Adam with a chance to extend the lead but his headed effort went narrowly wide.
Lugsden was then at the attacking end only for his headed attempt to be held by the keeper while Mark Smyth’s corner kick evaded everyone before going out of play at the far post.
Four minutes before the break Mark Smyth cut along the by-line, centered but Moseley’s shot was straight at Tigers’ keeper Steve Hernandez. In a flash he released the ball way upfield, the lively Chris Adam latched on to it before slotting the ball past Smith.
After the break
Moseley was pulled back by Kevin Davies just inside the penalty area and Mark Smyth struck the spot-kick to Hernandez’s right to bring some hope to the sparse Witton crowd.
And, when on 59 minutes skipper Brian Pritchard rose at the far left post to head home from a James Olsen free kick to equalise, it looked like Witton’s long depressing run may well end.
But with six minutes remaining Greg Smith made a real mess of getting to Mick Galloway’s long free kick and his flapped attempt only succeeded in diverting the ball into the net to thus earn Town three ever so vital points.
Kevin Sanasy missed a great chance to extend the lead in the second minute of stoppage time when Town had a penalty kick of their own after Lugsden had impeded substitute Gary Townsend. Fortunately for Witton, he struck his shot against the right-hand upright.
Witton: Smith, Dunne, Pritchard, Booth, Donnelly (Schwarz h/t), Lugsden, Drew, Olsen (R Thornley 86), Smyth, Thompson, Moseley. Subs not used: Thaker, Willis.
Attendance: 250.
