HAVING clinched their place in the UniBond Premier Division next season, Witton denied Stocksbridge the same prize on Saturday.

With just 13 minutes on the clock, left-back Richard Lucas gave the home team an extra mountain to climb when he was spotted by Leeds referee Peter Walker striking Albion's 18-year-old winger Adam Carden across the face. He was instantly shown a red card.

Albion, for whom Craig Sargeson had earlier sent a low shot whistling past the post, launched a series of attacks as Steels tried to reorganise with, in particular, an Adam Foy screamer being superbly tipped on to the crossbar by keeper Richard Siddall.

Dave Tickle and Alex Kevan both had efforts on goal before, on 39 minutes, following a patiently worked opening, Mike Moseley collected the ball on the edge of the penalty area. In a flash, he let fly with a wickedly dipping shot that flew over Siddall and rocketed into the net off the underside of the crossbar.

It finished the game as a contest and a lot of the above average crowd's attention wandered to the events being held as part of the UniBond League's Fun Day.

Nevertheless, Albion, when they did contrive to advance down the field, posed the greater threat to the scoreline. Moseley fed Foy in the 53rd minute but the midfielder this time was well off target. Tickle's low cross only just evaded the inrushing Sargeson with a quarter of an hour remaining while the striker, five minutes later, sent another shot wide of the target.

For the third consecutive season, Witton have registered more wins and total points away from Wincham Park than at home.

WITTON: Gibson; Salt, Pritchard, Furnival, Tickle; Foy, Kevan (Evans 90), Barlow, Carden (Yates 70); Moseley, Sargeson (Dicken 81) Att: 223 Star Man: Dave Tickle, settling in well Next Best: Adam Foy Team Rating: 3 Match Rating: 3