CARL Macauley stressed Witton Albion’s consistency has been rewarded after they completed a perfect Bank Holiday weekend by beating Nantwich.

Rob Hopley’s double downed the Dabbers at Wincham Park, where the home team shut out their opponents for a second successive game following a 1-0 win at Whitby on Saturday.

They rise to fourth in the table as a result.

“We’ve set a standard now,” said the Witton manager.

“It’s really tough to play two games in three days, particularly when you’ve had a gruelling journey to and from the first of those.

“But our energy levels remained high and the lads put in another shift.”

Albion dominated the opening half-hour, taking the lead when Hopley met James Foley’s corner with a firm contact from close-range.

They carved open their guests’ defence twice more but neither Tom Owens – their match-winner 48 hours earlier – nor Will Jones could apply a finishing touch.

It meant Nantwich, unbeaten in their previous three Premier Division games this season and first in the standings before kick-off, were still in the contest.

That is until Hopley bagged a second goal five minutes into the second-half after a free-kick was nudged his way.

Macauley added: “The game should have been over at half-time.

“In a way, we’d let them off to be only one goal in front and the second gave us a cushion.

“But I’m made up with the players again; I thought we were excellent in the opening 30 minutes or so, and some of the combination play was fantastic.

“We’re learning with each game, and we’ll get better from here.”

Witton visit promoted Bamber Bridge on Saturday, kick-off 3pm.