WITTON Albion slipped to a third defeat from four away trips this season when they visited Stafford Rangers on Tuesday.

Fortune didn’t favour Carl Macauley’s men, and they fell behind when Theo Bailey-Jones’ low shot slipped through the fingers of goalkeeper Greg Hall after Billy Smart’s tackle had diverted the ball into the wide-man’s path.

The visitors’ custodian was in the right place to block Joe Cuff’s volley before Boro lost front man Kyle Perry to a groin injury.

They still looked more likely to score next though.

Albion did threaten when Stafford number one Adam Whitehouse punched clear Will Jones’ header.

James Foley’s volley was off-target too, while James Askey contorted his body to head off the goal-line to deny Rob Hopley an equaliser.

Witton’s skipper switched to a role in defence at the start of the second-half when Stafford enjoyed a productive spell.

Harry Benns ought to have done better when he fired high before luck again deserted the away team when they fell further behind.

Tom Thorley’s shot clattered an upright before rebounding into the net off an unwitting Michael Wilson as he retreated.

Albion persisted, and halved their arrears when James Foley scored his third goal of the campaign.

The midfielder threaded a shot inside the far post from the edge of the penalty area after Matty Devine’s burst ended with him cutting the ball back.

Witton, with Delial Brewster on to support Jones in attack, applied pressure without prompting Whitehouse to intervene.

Instead they were grateful that Benns’ shooting continued to be wayward at the other end.

A goal that put Rangers out of reach arrived with four minutes left when he turned provider for substitute Lewis Banks who slotted a neat finish past Hall.

Stafford | Whitehouse (GK), Holgate, Askey, Luke Jones, Green (Briscoe 79), Marshall, Bailey-Jones (Banks 74), Thorley, Perry (Reid 21), Benns, Cuff Subs not used Coulson, Abadaki Goals Bailey-Jones 10, Wilson 60 (own goal), Banks 86 Booked Thorley, Benns

Witton | Hall (GK), Yates, Devine, Wardle, Wilson, Smart (Brewster 63), McKenna, Cesaire, Hopley, Will Jones, Foley Subs not used Noone, Moore (GK), Humphreys Goal Foley 66 Booked Devine, Cesaire

Referee Richard Cattell

Attendance 483