FOR Anthony Sheehan, a reminder he has work to do.

There was a distinct ‘morning after the night before’ feel to his team’s display, which was jaded just when he needed it not to be.

Appointed Brian Pritchard’s successor as manager on Monday, this was a jolting welcome to the job.

Witton summoned enough energy to recover from the blow of conceding a penalty in the first minute, but a break for half time punctured the momentum they gathered following Danny Andrews’ equaliser.

By then, the hosts had become a dominant force.

They continued to be in the opening stages of the second half, only to flag after an hour.

Curzon captured a first ever victory at Wincham Park thanks to an own goal by Mike Lea, skidding a header past stranded goalkeeper Chris Sanna from Simon Lakeland’s corner, before Ryan Brooke’s shot was similarly diverted out of the Witton custodian’s reach.

The visitors were lucky, but they can point to other chances created as proof they merited maximum points.

They were better in the opening exchanges too; Brooke’s dribble dazzling Anthony Gardner enough to trip him inside the box inside 30 seconds.

Kay despatched the resulting penalty with power.

The hosts remained lethargic, in part owing to the exertions of playing with 10 men for an hour at Barwell on Saturday, but Curzon’s attacking approach made them look sluggish.

Ryan Watson’s drive from distance prompted Sanna to tip over before Witton, sent out in a 4-5-1 shape with Neil Harvey again a lone front man, started to stir.

Curzon custodian Hakan Burton had to save smartly low to his left to deny Josh Hancock, then Albion restored parity on 31 minutes.

After Harvey wriggled cleverly clear of Jonathan Hunt on the left, he steered a pass towards Andrews.

The winger twisted to connect with a ball that appeared to be beyond him, curving his shot into the top corner.

It was a catalyst, for Witton were authoritative again afterwards.

They almost doubled their lead shortly after the interval, but Hancock’s goal-bound attempt was blocked by a retreating Chris Rowney.

That show of strength dissipated following the introduction of Alex Titchiner, a bolstered attack creating breathing space for Curzon in midfield.

Hunt sent a header against the crossbar when meeting a free kick, then Lea’s luck deserted him when he connected with Lakeland’s in-swinging corner.

Hancock arced a free kick past an upright at the other end, but Witton did not get nearer afterwards.

Brooke scored a third goal, aided by a decisive deflection, to settle the outcome with five minutes left.

Albion can ill-afford a repeat at Runcorn in the FA Cup on Saturday.

Witton (4-5-1) Sanna (GK), Moyo (Bakkor 81), Harrison, Gardner, Lea, Andrews, Hancock, Powell, Dawson (Titchiner 61), Howard, Harvey Subs not used Swift (GK), Corbett, Sherratt Goal Andrews 31 Booked Hancock, Bakkor (both fouls), Andrews (dissent)

Curzon (4-3-3) Burton (GK), Rowney, Hunt, Andrew Watson, Thornton, Lakeland (Woodford 86), Brown, Ryan Watson, Kay (Horrocks 78), Cummins, Brooke Subs not used Warburton, Fitzgerald, Crothers Goals Kay 1 (penalty), Lea 73 (own goal), Brooke 85 Booked Thornton (foul)

Referee Martin Woods

Attendance 324