WITTON have a position of safety in their sights after deservedly beating Frickley, a destination that feels closer with three successive home games to follow.

Tony Sullivan’s side climbed from the relegation zone as a reward for victory, and will match 14th-placed Whitby’s points total if they repeat the trick against King’s Lynn on Tuesday.

Albion came from behind to win a bad-tempered game, soured by Luke Hinsley’s dismissal as punishment for allegedly spitting at Tom Schofield before the break.

Danny Andrews swept in when the visitors next attacked, making it 2-1, although by then they had recovered from a sluggish start to take control.

Frickley, defeated now in four of their past five home fixtures, floundered after a promising start.

They sounded a warning when Luke Jeffs’ free kick reached Jameel Ible, unmarked, at the far post.

Forced to stretch, he could not control his volley.

Invited again to send a set piece into Witton’s penalty area following a needless foul, he picked out Reece Thompson who headed in from close range.

And Blues ought to have doubled their lead following Brad Riley’s raid down the left, his pass for Hinsley ending with his teammate’s shot being blocked on the goal-line by Liam Goulding.

To their credit, Witton did not panic.

Instead they made sure their possession led to chances, the best when Jamie Rainford’s curving goal-bound effort was cleared by defender Jeff Stannard.

Chris Salt was less fortunate when he got in the way of Andrews’ drive on 32 minutes, the resulting deflection leaving goalkeeper Sam Leigh no chance of preventing an equaliser.

Hinsley, after felling Schofield, was then shown a red card by referee Richard Wild following consultation with a linesman who had spotted the midfielder’s misdemeanour.

The Rochdale official did the same when John Shaw tripped Thompson in the penalty area at the start of the second period, this time taking his colleague’s advice to caution the Witton captain rather than send him off.

Gavin Allott’s feeble spot kick was then saved low to his left by Albion custodian Andrew Robertson.

Frickley, visibly frustrated, did not have as clear a glimpse of goal until Thompson rolled in a consolation during stoppage time.

Witton, wasteful in truth, should have been out of sight by then.

Rainford steered narrowly wide, while Luke Clark’s blast was turned aside smartly by Leigh.

He could do nothing though to stop Alex Titchiner slamming in from close range after his defenders failed to clear the resulting corner.

Substitute Danny South nodded too high after meeting Jeffs’ corner at the other end, while Rainford skied another attempt from a promising position.

Replacements Zac Corbett and Jake Parker both went close at the end of Albion counters, while Andrews’ shot clattered the crossbar in the seconds after Thompson had pounced to make it 3-2.

“To win here is another part of our evolution,” said Sullivan afterwards.

“We’ve given ourselves a great chance of staying up, and we’re making progress.” 

Frickley (4-4-2) Leigh (GK), Stannard, Ible, Salt, Jeffs, Hinsley, Hornsey, Parkinson, Riley (South 59), Thompson, Allott Subs not used Kay, Stratford, Cyrus, Hood (GK) Goals Thompson 14, 90 (+2) Booked Parkinson, South (both fouls) Sent off Hinsley (spat at opponent)

Witton (3-5-2) Robertson (GK), Barnes, Goulding, John Shaw, Joe Shaw, Clark (Simpson73) , Schofield (Corbett 81), Andrews, Dawson, Rainford (Parker 81), Titchiner Subs not used Molina, Swift (GK) Goals Salt 32 (own goal), Andrews 45, Titchiner 68 Booked John Shaw, Barnes (both fouls), Corbett (kicking the ball away)

Referee Richard Wild

Attendance 189