BRIAN Pritchard equalled a record, but Witton were second best to Leek on Boxing Day.

The Albion stalwart pulled on the red and white stripes for the 539th time, equalling John Goryl's achievement, only for his teammates to spectacularly self-destruct against the league's bottom club.

Surprisingly keeper Jon Kennedy was the main culprit.

He fluffed a catch with 15 minutes left to give Leek a lifeline at 3-1 down - sub Alan Nagington profiting - before allowing a backpass to squirm from his grasp to allow former Wittoner Carl Rendell to grab a leveller.

Misery Albion's misery was complete when Steve Brannan headed a winner on 92 minutes.

It was not what the second biggest crowd of the campaign at Wincham Park wanted to see, particularly as the hosts were unbeaten at home in the league since August.

A look at the standings afterwards soured their mood further.

It should have been so different. Shaun Miller scored on his home debut inside two minutes - the Crewe loanee steaming onto a loose ball after Chris Gahgan's shot was blocked.

Leek levelled 10 minutes later though when Dave MacPherson's header flashed in off the post.

Gahgan's teasing centre evaded four Albion players on the half hour before Miller's fancy footwork crafted an opening for Adam Warlow, but his shot was off target.

Sub Carl Frost went close moments after entering the field when Tom Spearritt and Gahgan swapped passes, and keeper Peter Collinge denied him a second time from another Gahgan assist on 67 minutes.

Pritchard headed the resulting corner across goal for Griff Jones to restore Albion's advantage.

The game appeared over three minutes later.

Warlow burst clear to take his tally to 15 goals for the season - his shot proving too hot too handle.

Gahgan had the ball in the net in injury time, but Albion's joy disappeared when the assistant referee flagged for a questionable offside - a host red and white shirts were in the box but Gahgan seemed to be onside.

But by then Kennedy's sloppiness had cost them dear.

STAR MAN: Liam Brownhill.

ALBION: Kennedy, Spearritt (Hockenhull 90), Barras, Pritchard, Brownhill, Gahgan, Lloyd, Alex Brown, Miller (Frost 63), Warlow, Griff Jones.

Sub not used: Alastair Brown.

Attendance: 401.