ADAM Warlow hit the winner to spare Witton's blushes against spirited Sheffield.

A double from the Crewe Alexandra Academy graduate took his tally to eight for the season as Albion were twice pegged back in a cup tie that had everything, including a pitch invasion by rabbits.

The UniBond Premier Division top scorers hit the front in the third minute.

Sean Whalley set Kevin Sanasay clear and, when his shot was only parried by Sheffield keeper Jamie Holmshaw, Warlow pounced to open the scoring.

But Witton's frailty at the other end was exposed within a minute.

Chris White's flighted free kick was flicked past Jon Worsnop from six yards by unmarked Gary Townsend to level the scores.

Steven Connors almost restored Albion's advantage on the quarter hour, but Holmshaw pawed his dipping volley past the post.

From the resulting corner Brian Pritchard headed across goal, only for Warlow to nod wide from point blank range.

Worsnop was then called upon to make a smart save after Jonathan Pickess beat Witton's offside trap.

Ahead Tony Barras saw his header crash back off the cross bar from Mark Peers' back post corner on 30 minutes, before Jim Vince's men edged ahead again five minutes later.

Man of the match Connors halted a Sheffield attack and fed Whalley.

The former Runcorn man was given the freedom of the left flank before cutting inside and guiding a measured finish across the helpless Holmshaw.

Former Northwich Victoria midfielder Andrew Brownrigg should have equalised again on the stroke of half time but his header from Townsend's centre drifted over.

The Yorkshiremen did draw level again on the hour though.

Sub Dean Sidebottom picked out White, who ghosted in to the six-yard box to head past Worsnop.

But the midfielder turned from hero to villain inside 60 seconds when he rashly picked up a second yellow card after fouling Whalley on the touchline.

Witton were back in front two minutes later.

Peers scampered clear on the left before teeing up Warlow to arrow a left-foot shot past Holmshaw.

Sanasay then fired over, following fine work by Warlow as Albion at last got a grip on the game.

There followed five minutes of farce when Worsnop delayed taking a goal kick after spotting a baby rabbit burrow up into his six-yard box, but ultimately the stoppage only served to delay Sheffield's fall from the competition at the first hurdle.

STAR MAN: Steve Connors - Whalley and Peers may catch the eye, but Albion's wingers are supplied by the tireless midfielder.

Connors recovered and distributed an incredible number of balls, meaning his was a pivotal role in a hard-earned victory.

ALBION (4-4-2): 1-Worsnop, 2-Hockenhull, 3-Brownhill, 4-Pritchard, 5-Barras (14-Alastair Brown 81), 6-Whalley (12-Gaghan 92), 7-Spearritt, 8-Connors, 9-Warlow, 10-Sanasay, 11-Peers
Subs not used: 18-Walker (GK), 15-Frost, 16-Haughton.

Attendance: 231.