BRIAN Pritchard, Witton’s manager, has said his side merited a reward for their performance at title-chasing Chorley last night, Tuesday.

Following a 1-0 defeat, sealed with 12 minutes left by Dale Whitham’s headed goal, Albion remain four points above the Premier Division relegation zone with six matches to play.

“We’re happy with how we played,” said Pritchard.

“If an alien had watched the game, he would not have been able to tell which team was trying to go back to the top of the table.

“I felt we had enough chances, and played enough good football, to get something.

“In the end, we were undone by an excellent delivery from a set piece. Before that, we’d defended their dead balls pretty well.

“The lads were gutted to lose, but I’ve told them to take heart from how they did.”

Witton are sixth-bottom, but have played the games in hand they had on rivals around them.

They visit Matlock Town this Saturday before a potentially decisive head-to-head with Frickley Athletic, who currently occupy the fourth relegation position, next Tuesday.

Home games with Trafford and Rushall Olympic, plus trips to Barwell and Ashton United, complete their run-in.