WITTON rattled up arguably their best win of the season to reach the UniBond League Cup third round at a rain-drenched Wincham Park on Monday.
They were without Paul Gibson, Brian Pritchard and David Eaton but still outplayed the Premier Division Cumbrians.
Matters were made worse on 25 minutes when Pritchard's replacement, Andy Barlow, left the pitch for hospital, suffering concussion. Witton reshuffled to accommodate midfielder Andy Pavey.
Teenage goalkeeper Richard Mottram, a former Witton junior and now a regular with Barnton, proved a safe last line of defence and he stopped Barrow's last-ditch attempts to get back into the tie with a fine stop from Scott Brough and an even better save from Mike Kewley.
Albion took the lead in the 17th minute when Darrell Dicken's through pass found Mike Moseley and he tempted keeper Simon Bishop off his line before netting his 20th goal of the season.
Gavin Knight went close for Barrow before Witton celebrated their second, a stooping and crashing header by Gary Furnival off a hard-driven Dicken corner.
Barrow were back in contention six minutes later when Knight beat three defenders and smashed home the best goal of the evening.
But they were out of the running again a minute after the interval. Pavey was the creator and Carl Frost's shot proved too much for Bishop, the ball looping up off the keeper and spinning into the net.
It gave Witton control and, on the hour, Moseley cut in from the left to complete Albion's second successive Monday night four-goal cup win.
WITTON: Mottram; Sandeman, Barlow (Pavey 28), Hughes, Furnival; Dicken (Sargeson 70), Mallinson, Foy, Nolan (McCoy 79); Moseley, Frost. Attendance: 161 Star Man: Andy Pavey, off the bench to build a platform for win. Next Best: Adam Foy Team Rating: 4. Match Rating: 4
WITTON, who beat Crewe 4-3 in the competition last week, have drawn Nantwich Town at home in the Cheshire Senior Cup semi-final, but they may well face Congleton Town instead.
Nantwich, managed by ex-Albion boss Nigel Gleghorn, fielded ex-Northwich Vics manager Steve Davis in the tie but Congleton believe he was not signed at least a week beforehand and have appealed.
Albion are at Belper Town on Saturday and await news of Brian Pritchard's availability and a fitness report on new signing Danny Salt. They have no midweek game.
