WITTON’S players swapped shirts twice, showing off three different shades, but losing to opponents without a win in more than two months left them red-faced.

That’s the colour referee Bob Roberts’ cheeks should be too.

The Leyland official stopped the contest after a quarter hour, claiming the two teams’ stripes – Albion red against Grantham black –confused him and his colleagues.

He ordered the hosts to change tops, something he chose not to before kick off, which they did pitch-side to yellow ones that they wore when relegated three years ago.

In doing so did their wardrobe malfunction again though, for they bore the logo of a previous league sponsor.

Albion then switched to blue at the break, but their performance did not pick up any.

One of the curiosities of Witton’s campaign is that they do not draw – the past 15 matches in league and cup have ended in victory or defeat – which has seen form fluctuate wildly.

It is all very well punching holes in one of the Premier Division’s best defences in midweek, but that is offset now by a risible reverse against visitors second best in eight of their past nine games.

The home team had toiled even before Roberts’ mad moment, still on terms only because Paul Grimes made a mess of his finish when picked out perfectly by Connor Higginson.

Witton did not stand out in yellow either, relying on Matt Cooper’s smart reaction to Higginson’s free kick to keep their sheet clean.

It did not stay so for long, Anthony Sheehan’s clipping of Grimes’ heels enough to send the striker tumbling inside the box on 32 minutes.

He recovered to score from the spot.

Witton had more possession after that but looked unlikely to penetrate, Grantham able to resist by doing little more than staying in a defensive shape.

They got lucky too, for Phil Watt’s handball when challenging Ben Harrison to meet Matt Cross’ free kick was blatant.

So too was Witton’s lack of cohesion, although fortune was fickle again six minutes into the second half when an opposition defender headed against his own crossbar.

From Grantham’s next attack, Higginson’s speed of thought called on Cooper to tip his speculative shot onto the woodwork.

Albion were at least more urgent, but too often played to their guests’ defensive strength.
Cross’ next free kick curved against an upright with goalkeeper James Lindley caught out of position, but it proved not the catalyst for an onslaught.

Nor did the arrival of Josh Hancock, Joe Shaw and Ashley Stott as substitutes.

Cooper’s boot blocked a shot by replacement Karl Demidh, while at the other end Ben Harrison’s header flashed wide from Stott’s centre.

The Grantham sub did for Witton though in stoppage time, applying the finishing touch to a swift counter-raid.

Witton’s frailty in defence, no matter the number of costume changes, had been laid bare.

Witton Star Man: Ben Harrison. The central defender has had his best week of the season, and that while struggling with an injury. Dominant, and closest to scoring for Witton with a header as well.

Witton (4-4-2) Cooper (GK), Gardner, Ben Harrison, Cross, Clayton (Stott 71), Jamie Harrison (Hancock 56), Sheehan, Fallon (Shaw 62), Andrews, Tuck, Foster. Subs not used Booth, Moseley. Booked Cross, Andrews (both fouls), Sheehan (dissent).

Grantham (5-3-2) Lindley (GK), Purcicoe, Watt, Sam Saunders, Meikle, Potts, Lewis, Magee, Ball, Higginson (Demidh 69), Grimes. Subs not used Ben Saunders, Robinson, Nwadike, McGhee. Goals Grimes 32 (penalty), Demidh 90 (+2). Booked Potts, Higginson (both fouls).

Referee Bob Roberts (Leyland)
Attendance 429