WITTON merited a win against Marine that will forever be marked by what happened after the final whistle had blown.

It was fitting that Danny Andrews, arguably Albion’s best player during Brian Pritchard’s tenure, should reach his own personal milestone on an afternoon when the manager announced his departure.

The wide man’s goal, the first in a comfortable 3-1 victory, set the hosts on a course towards a maximum-points haul over the Bank Holiday weekend.

It was his 50th score since switching from Cammell Laird in the summer of 2011.

Witton had already called former custodian Matt Cooper into action twice before Andrews’ opener, first to stop a free kick from the same player then to tip over Anthony Gardner’s header.

He could do nothing about an attempt bent into the top corner from the edge of the box after a quarter of an hour.

Marine’s threat was minimal, though skipper John Shaw ought to have done better than steer a header off target from Karl Clair’s free kick.

Before the break, Cooper turned to safety Cliff Moyo’s low drive following Andrews’ assist.

He stopped Jon Dawson’s effort too after Bakkor had combined with ex-Mariner Neil Harvey, but the shot lacked power to trouble him.

Marine, like Witton, had celebrated a first win of the season on Saturday. Yet they remained meek.

Cooper was quick from his line to smother Harvey’s attempt from Andrews’ cute pass, though he was a spectator when Dawson steered inches wide after swapping passes with Harvey.

Albion doubled their lead after 70 minutes, substitute Iain Howard finishing emphatically after Andrews – who else? – had split the visitors’ defence.

Dawson kept calm to score a third goal soon afterward, checking inside before shooting with power past Cooper.

Carl Macauley’s men reduced the deficit with time running out when Aaron Burns converted a penalty awarded for handball by Ben Harrison when he tried to block Andy Fowler’s drive.

Witton (4-4-2) Sanna (GK), Moyo, Harrison, Gardner, Lea, Andrews, Davidson, Powell (Sheehan 76), Dawson (Corbett 87), Bakkor (Howard 60), Harvey Subs not used Swift (GK), Titchiner Goals Andrews 14, Howard 70, Dawson 75 Booked Lea, Bakkor, Davidson (all fouls)

Marine (4-4-2) Cooper (GK), Wainwright, Nicholas, Shaw, Short (Rice 80), Foley, Fearnehough, Clair, Goulding, Fowler, Burns Subs not used Mitchison (GK), Williams Goal Burns 81 (penalty) Booked Burns, Wainwright (both fouls), Fearnehough (unsporting behaviour)

Referee Anthony Moore (Stockport)

Attendance 361