BY the end Witton Albion’s fate felt unsurprising, and inevitable.

For the third time in seven days they contrived to lose a match they had led, only on this occasion there would was to be another chance to save themselves.

Stamford’s winner was scruffy; Tom McGowan’s shot took a decisive deflection off Witton captain John Shaw that allowed the ball to squirm past goalkeeper Dean Porter at his near post.

That they were in a position to emerge as victors at all is a cause for greater Albion regret.

Such was their superiority in the first half, represented by a two-goal lead, that the home team’s supporters felt compelled to boo their own players as they trudged from the field.

This was not solely a day that would decide Witton’s destiny and, as it happened, Tony Sullivan’s future as manager.

Stamford, in the relegation zone two points adrift of their guests at kick off, had survival as an aim too.

They achieved it after inflicting on Albion a 25th defeat of a torrid campaign.

In a third of those, Witton were in a winning position.

No wonder then that even a 2-0 advantage, despite their opponents being barracked by their own followers, still felt fragile.

From the moment Zac Corbett needlessly nudged over Jon Challinor in the penalty area nine minutes after the interval, the mood changed.

Stamford manager, David Staff, said he sensed the visitors’ vulnerability from the touchline.

Ryan Robbins swept in the spot kick emphatically, sending his team on their way to a first league win at their new home.

They had failed in 12 previous attempts.

In few of those matches can they have come up against such a frail foe.

There was nothing subtle about Stamford.

Instead, they relied on sheer willpower.

And set pieces.

McGowan made it 2-2 on 75 minutes following another unnecessary foul, committed this time by Luke Clark on Challinor.

Nathan Fox’s free kick was met with panic by Witton defenders, leaving McGowan to hook the loose ball into the net from inside the six-yard box.

He was first to Jordan Smith’s driven centre from the right on 83 minutes, although Shaw’s touch as he tried to block the shot helped.

Albion mustered a rally of sorts, and substitute Jamie Rainford fizzed a rising attempt into the side-netting from an acute angle.

Joe Shaw, with time to compose himself, scooped over.

As had been the case against Blyth Spartans the previous Saturday and at Ashton in midweek, Sullivan’s side seemed incapable of responding to a setback.

It proved their ultimate undoing.

Promoted through the play-offs in 2012, Witton almost repeated the feat the following season.

Those achievements are fading memories now.

Sam Barnes’ header, from Josh Hancock’s corner, and Liam Goulding’s goal – prodded past Stamford custodian Andy Stevens at the second attempt following fine approach play by Alex Titchiner – offered an illusion of creating new ones.

That hope proved only fleeting.

Stamford (4-4-2) | Stevens (GK), Clarke, Jones, Batchelor, Fox, Revan (Lawlor 46), McGowan, Challinor, Clements (Jelleyman 86), Jordan Smith, Robbins (Carr 90) Subs not used Meade, Staff Goals Robbins 54 (penalty), McGowan 75, 83 Booked Challinor (foul)

Witton (4-5-1) | Porter (GK), Goulding, Barnes, John Shaw, Dawson, Simpson, Joe Shaw, Corbett, Clark (Schofield 76), Hancock (Rainford 61), Titchiner Subs not used Swift (GK), Chrisokhou, Weeder, Schofield Goals Barnes 22, Goulding 45 Booked Rainford (foul)

Referee Matthew Wilkes

Attendance 752