Witton Albion 2, Burscough 3
WITTON remained outside the play-off positions and gave every indication on Saturday they were likely to stay there.
The evidence is that victory last time out and new signings had not revived Witton's cause.
The table says they are still in with a chance, but Burscough inflicted their fourth consecutive home defeat and the deterioration is not just in midfield, where there has been several changes, but also in defence.
Ex-Northwich Vics defender Garry Burke and midfielder Neil Hall, in his second spell with Albion, made their debuts alongside loan goalkeeper Jon Worsnop, all three signed from Droylsden.
Hall was talented but flimsy when he emerged with Winsford United and he did not give Albion any steel in central midfield.
Albion went in front in the second minute, though the first 60 seconds had not ticked away when Mike Moseley was brought down by Michael White and the referee pointed to spot. As Moseley had already shot and as the ball was rolling towards an unguarded net, it seemed a hasty decision. Fans were disconcerted, but were all smiles when full-back Liam Brownhill scored the penalty.
There were claims for another penalty when the same Albion striker was seemingly fouled by the same defender before Burscough levelled on 17 minutes.
A long ball down the middle got the better of centre-backs Brian Pritchard and Tom Spearitt. Worsnop came off his line all of a panic and whipped Paul Lloyd's legs from under him. Worsnop parried Dave Eaton's spot kick, but could not stop him from scoring the rebound.
Peers provided Albion with their best attacking option and he came close to winning another penalty while creating openings for Mike Bowler and Burke.
But Albion's second-half performance was wretched. The passing game proclaimed by manager Jim Vince as the way forward was abandoned for route-one tactics, which only provided scant service for the forwards.
Burscough played the better football and reaped the reward.
Tony Gray shot them in front after beating the offside trap in the 53rd minute, but Witton still had the chance to see them off.
Dave Whittaker ought to have equalised on the hour when Spearitt and Peers combined well. But Whittaker made a hash the first time and shot wide with his second attempt.
They had to wait until the 73rd minute for an equaliser when Brownhill netted his second penalty, given for Karl Bell's foul on Peers.
But any inspiration he may have given his teammates was shortlived for, within 60 seconds, Gray converted a low Martin Crowder cross to restore Burscough's lead.
Albion looked to Peers to save the game, but Burscough were wary of his threat and the last chance fell to Spearitt but his shot from Burke's nod down did not worry goalkeeper Matthew Boswell.
Witton: Worsnop, Brownhill, Pritchard, Spearitt, Burke; Hocken-hull (McNutt 57), Hall, Bowler (Avery 82), Peers; Whittaker (Courtney 75), Moseley.
Att: 237 Star Man: Mark Peers, carried the greatest threat
Next Best: Liam Brownhill Team Rating: 2 Match Rating: 3
