WHEN Steve Tames nodded Witton Albion into the lead into the sunshine, they edged closer to a couple more milestones.

His goal, the hosts’ 100th of the campaign, still separated the sides at full-time.

They have never won as many matches in a Northern Premier League season, nor have they amassed a bigger points tally – and that’s after a deduction.

All of them are reasons for manager Carl Macauley and his players to feel proud, but they have their eyes on a more substantive prize.

They approach a promotion play-offs semi-final against AFC Rushden & Diamonds on Tuesday buoyed by not sustaining any new injuries.

Those that had niggles, like Anthony Gardner and Tom Owens, were restricted to cameos as a substitute.

Others, like their match-winner, were withdrawn for breather.

The game was worth nothing in terms of league position, but the incentive of free entry still attracted the biggest crowd to watch Witton play a Division One South fixture this season outside of a meeting with Northwich Victoria.

Played at a sedate pace, pulses quickened slightly when Tames – left unmarked inside the six-yard box – re-directed Prince Haywood’s clipped cross into the net on 32 minutes.

Sheffield ought to have levelled when James Gregory ran clear but, after taming a bouncing ball, he proceeded only to lift it high over the crossbar.

Albion, attempting to preserve energy, played in fits and starts.

Brad Bauress combined artfully with Tames on the right early in the second half, then stabbed his teammate’s precise cut-back narrowly wide.

James Ashmore dragged a shot off-target at the other end before Bauress, invited to surge towards goal by Matty Devine’s nudged pass, drilled straight at goalkeeper Chris Butt.

Prince Haywood, able to play in a more advanced position following Gardner’s introduction, then flashed a shot past an upright.

Sheffield’s Danny South was unlucky not to see his lobbed attempt dip into the corner after Albion only partially-cleared from a corner.

Will Jones was next to try his luck for Witton, but he could not prompt Butt to save, while Karl Noon’s fizzing effort also failed to hit the target.

Club then fluffed their chance to pinch a point when captain Lee Cooksey blasted against the crossbar from close range after two initial attempts had been blocked by a Witton back-marker.

It was that sort of afternoon for Sheffield, who announced on Sunday that manager James Colliver has resigned after they finished 15th.

While his job is done, Witton still have work to do this week.

Witton | 4-4-2 | Roberts (GK), Haywood (Sloane 78), Brown, Wilson, Devine, Tames (Gardner 58), Williams (Owens 68), Noon, Bauress, Jones, Hopley Subs not used Lycett, Moore (GK) Goal Tames 32 Booked Haywood, Brown (both fouls)

Sheffield | 4-4-2 | Butt (GK), Turner, Nicholson, Goodwin, Cooksey, Magee, Roney (Howe 77), Ashmore, South, Royles (Denton 59), Gregory (Linley 85) Subs not used Ingham, Colliver Booked Goodwin (foul)

Referee Daniel Bruce

Attendance 345