WITTON Albion lost – deservedly – for the fourth time this season.

But goalkeeper Joe Clegg, in imperious form throughout, merited more than to return home empty-handed after he time and again denied the hosts.

Sheffield scored with six minutes to spare.

Substitute Joel Purkiss scraped the ball over the line after Matt Outram had wriggled between Brian Pritchard and Lee Neville, driving his cross low to the near post.

Witton wasted their best chance to level.

Peter Heler, on for Steve Brodie, headed too high from Brad Maylett’s centre after escaping his marker.

Sheffield, ousted in the FA Cup by FC United of Manchester at the weekend while Witton were put five goals past poor Willenhall Town, bounced back with pace and purpose.

Clegg was called into his first piece of action in the opening 15 seconds after Albion had lost possession from their kick off, but the keeper was quickly down to his left to push the ball away.

Time after time the former Manchester City trainee showed a capability beyond his years, leaving the Yorkshire side frustrated and wondering just how they could get the ball past him.

He even thwarted a free shot.

Outram was adjudged to have been tripped by Pritchard as he scampered into the box in a bid to reach a cross he had no chance of converting.

Clegg righted the wrong by pushing away captain Jordan Eagers’ spot kick then, to add insult to woe, tipped away Darryl Winter’s follow up.

Sheffield did break through eventually though, moving up to fourth place in the UniBond Division One South standings as a result.

Albion slide to seventh in their place.

Witton Clegg (GK), Adams, Lee Neville, Pritchard, Rudd, Brodie (Heler 62), Maylett, Hall, Foster, Moseley, Tandy
Subs not used Dave Neville, Hadzik
Attendance 254