THINGS will get worse before they improve for Witton Albion.

They did not deserve to lose, though Danny South’s goal for Frickley with a minute left was one worthy of winning most encounters.

It condemned the hosts to a fifth successive league defeat, their worst run of results since returning to the Northern Premier League’s top flight three years ago.

They will certainly be sick of the sight of September.

Danny Andrews, as he so often does, delivered cheer for suffering supporters when he caressed inn an opening goal after eight minutes.

Albion, who included three teenagers in their starting line-up, harassed Joel Barnett into a mistake during the build-up.

He made amends after quarter of an hour, his penalty squirming over the line despite debutant goalkeeper Ryan Swift predicting correctly where he planned to place it.

Barnett himself had been dumped to the floor by Zac Corbett’s clumsy challenge, leaving referee Matthew Corlett with an easy decision to make.

Jon Dawson then went close twice for Witton before the break; first, he drilled off target after Scott Bakkor’s cushioned header created an opening.

He was then denied by brave Blues custodian Ben Simpson, who reacted swiftly to claw clear the wide man’s attempt after a hefty collision with Bakkor.

Frickley had the first chance after the interval, but Jameel Ible’s header from Luke Jeff’s free kick dropped wide.

Witton assumed the initiative for the remainder, though too often lacked precision with a final pass or cross.

When they did make the right choice, their shooting was awry.

Andrews clipped a pass into the path of an overlapping Cliff Moyo on 54 minutes, but Bakkor’s shot at the near post from his cut-back lacked oomph.

Alex Titchiner, who completed 90 minutes for the first time since returning from injury, fired too close to Simpson when the ball dropped invitingly on the edge of the box.

Fortune almost favoured Frickley when Barnett’s cross clipped the crossbar with Swift stranded, though there was nothing lucky about South’s stunning strike.

Given time to tame a high ball with his chest, he swivelled before sending dipping volley beyond the custodian’s reach into the top corner.

It marked a first away win for Frickley this season, a third success in their past four Premier Division matches.

More impressively, it ended a wait to win a league game at Wincham Park that started back in 1996.

Witton, far from their fluid best, had at least endeavoured to put behind them miserable five-goal thrashings against Belper and Trafford.

They still suffered, but this blow was less hurtful than those.

Nobody has conceded more often than Albion to date, an obvious place for the new manager to start.

Witton (4-4-2) Swift (GK), Moyo, Gardner, Corbett, Lea, Andrews, Davidson, Blake, Dawson (Koral 72), Bakkor, Titchiner Subs not used Spencer (GK), Harrison, Mundy, Perry Goal Andrews 8 Booked Bakkor (foul)

Frickley (4-4-2) Simpson (GK), Kyle Harrison, Cyrus, Ible, Jeffs, Williams (Parkinson 78), Simon Harrison, Young, Payne (Riley 69), South, Barnett (Davies 90) Subs not used Hood (GK), Rose Goals Barnett 14 (penalty), South 89 Booked Simon Harrison (foul)

Referee Matthew Corlett

Attendance 244