CARL Macauley described Bradley Bauress as ‘brilliant’ after the midfielder inspired Witton Albion to a convincing victory against a direct rival for promotion on Saturday.

The midfielder scored twice before creating his side’s other goal in a 3-0 win against Newcastle Town at Wincham Park.

“If you’re a striker playing in the same team as him, you’ll thrive,” said the Albion boss.

“You just know he’ll pick you out or create a chance for you to score; he was brilliant, and is obviously in a rich vein of form.

“We knew the type of player we were bringing in when we signed him, but it’s still great to see him realise that potential.

“Did you see his pass for Rob Hopley in the second half? It was perfect, wasn’t it?”

Following a 3-2 defeat at Market Drayton in midweek, when their hosts scored a decisive goal in stoppage time, Witton knew they needed to react against opponents that occupied third place in the table.

They were determined as well to complete double over a side managed by Scott Dundas, who Macauley succeeded in the dugout.

He said: “We wanted to bounce back, and got off to a great start which ended with us taking the lead.

“I felt we created better chances throughout.

“They had a spell when they put us under pressure before half-time, but they couldn’t find a final ball to hurt us.

“After the second goal, we controlled the game.

“It opened up a bit because they came at us, but that just made us look more dangerous.”

Albion stay seventh in the Northern Premier League’s Division One South table, but a gap to the play-offs places is reduced to four points.

A trip to Lincoln United, beaten in their past four league matches, follows on Tuesday night.

Macauley said: “We’re in a good position and have games in hand, but I’d prefer to have the points.

“We’ll keep going though, and see where we end up.”