IT is innocuous moments that can inflict the most damage.

When Witton Albion defender Nick Ryan left the field shortly after half-time on a stretcher, and in evident pain, an ambulance had already been summoned.

He had challenged Marine forward Dominic Red for a bouncing ball, and the damage is a suspected broken leg.

The timing is particularly unfortunate for a player that had only recently returned to the starting line-up after suffering a fractured jaw before Christmas that had kept him out of action for two months.

For the first 53 minutes of this game, he was the outstanding performer in the visitors’ colours.

The reaction of Ryan’s teammates, and a number of their opponents, after he went down signalled that it was serious.

It would have been even more painful for Witton to have lost a game they deserved something from.

They had taken the lead within moments of Ryan’s departure, when Rob Hopley ruthlessly punished a defensive lapse, only to fall behind in the third minute of added time.

Steve Tames’ leveller, in the 96th minute, was further proof that Carl Macauley’s men share an indomitable spirit.

A point isn’t worth much in the Northern Premier League Premier Division standings given that their hopes of making the promotion play-offs are now gone.

But the cheer it provided for distressed players, and the stricken Ryan, counts for more.

A compelling second-half provided everything a languid first failed to.

Marine, buoyed by coming from behind to collect points in each of their previous three matches, were marginally better in the opening period.

They were certainly tidier in possession.

Calvin Hare was untroubled by a shot sent his way by James Short with his weaker foot, and he was alert to intercept Reid’s cross.

The same player also fired straight at him.

In between, Tames swerved an attempt from distance onto the underside of the crossbar.

Reid tried his luck a third time before the break, but scuffed high after Michael Brewster ended a surging run with an incisive pass.

After Ryan, and Reid, had succumbed to injuries sustained during their collision the game jolted to life.

Hopley sniffed an opportunity when Pete Wylie’s back-pass fell short, and skipped around goalkeeper Martin Fearon before steering the ball into an open goal.

Michael Wilson returned the favour at the other end, and James Murray was similarly alert to claim an equaliser on 65 minutes.

Albion finished strongly, assisted perhaps by fatigue slowing down hosts that had won at Mickleover 48 hours earlier, and looked more likely to score next.

Fearon’s stunning parry denied former Mariner James Foley before Will Jones’ speculative volley dropped wide.

At the other end, Josh Amis was also thwarted by the woodwork after his dipping strike had flown over Hare.

Marine gritted their teeth, and were rewarded when Short speared a fine finish inside the far post after cutting inside from the left.

Witton rallied though, and Tames smuggled a loose ball over the line from close-range after Foley’s corner dropped invitingly.

Marine | 4-4-2 | Fearon (GK), Wylie, Strickland, Hughes, Short, Brewster, Field, Smart, Murray, Reid (Donnelly 54), Amis Subs not used Baker, Donaldson, Watson, Mendes (GK) Goals Murray 65, Smart 90 (+3) Booked Smart (foul)

Witton | 4-4-2 | Hare (GK), Gardner, Wilson, Ryan (McKenna 54), Devine, Tames, Foley, Haywood, Dale (Williams 67), Hopley, Jones Subs not used Evans, Neild (GK) Goals Hopley 56, Tames 90 (+6)

Referee Nat Cox

Attendance 316