ALBION ambushed Winsford not once, but twice, to seal a spot in the final.

Blues paid a heavy penalty for their profligacy in front of goal as Witton scored in the dying seconds of normal and extra time to turn the tie around.

But for long periods they had been second best to their neighbours.

Alex Brown's brilliant winner was worthy of winning any game, but that will be of scant consolation to Blues boss Chris Willcock.

His side created copious openings, but a combination of ill-luck, inspired goalkeeping and insipid finishing cost them.

Les Miranda ticked boxes for all three categories.

He hit the woodwork twice, was denied by Jon Kennedy on another occasion and fluffed the clearest chance of all when the goal was at his mercy.

On such small details are cup duels decided.

Witton were ponderous on a heavy pitch, in part due to the rustiness of Liam McGuire, Carl Frost and Mark Jones - all three only part way down the route to recovery from injury.

Brian Pritchard's presence in attack was the embodiment of their disjointed design.

It was Pritchard who came closest early on, directing a header past Danny Morton's far post from Darren Hockenhull's centre.

But Blues - buoyed by out of sorts opposition - gradually took control.

Miranda tested Kennedy, before four minutes later thrashing a stinging left footer off the inside of the custodian's near post after sneaking into space from a long throw.

Morton saved smartly from Alex Brown's drive on 25 minutes, but Albion's forays forward were infrequent.

Miranda then missed a sitter.

Debutant Mike Murray floated a deep free kick onto Neil Marsh's head and, from his flick on, Miranda scooped the ball wide from inside the six-yard box with only Kennedy blocking his path.

And Miranda came close again two minutes into the second half.

Kennedy made a hash of a through pass, spilling the ball into the path of the Winsford frontman, but Miranda was unlucky to see his chipped shot clip the wrong side of the upright.

The hosts rallied briefly, and McGuire was thwarted by Morton from Tony Barras' incisive pass shortly before the hour.

Blues then left Witton red-faced.

Rob Hopley looped a spectacular volley over Kennedy from the edge of the box after Miranda made a nuisance of himself.

They had 20 minutes to hang on, but lasted 18 before Pritchard pinched a leveller.

Blues spurned more chances in extra time.

Dave Hanlon's dazzling dribble left Witton's rearguard in a spin, but he blazed over when a goal seemed certain.

Danny Topping sent the same player clear minutes later, but Kennedy smothered his attempted lob expertly.

Witton's keeper saved his best until last - his stunning save to thwart Scott Weir as much a match winner as Brown's moment of magic.

The spectre of a shoot-out ignited Albion, who dominated the last 10 minutes territorially, and Brown pulled the trigger at just the right moment bring Blues to their knees.

A great escape? You bet.