THE more things change, the more they stay the same.

Witton demonstrated familiar failings in defeat at King’s Lynn, their sixth in succession, but new boss Tony Sullivan was never likely to change bad habits in a single training session.

He is a manager, not a magician.

Albion fell behind inside five minutes after failing to defend a scruffy set piece, Sam Mulready reacting instinctively to steer in a cross that David Bell had miss-hit before Alex Titchiner skewed it into the striker’s path after slipping while attempting to clear.

Another heavy loss beckoned.

Yet what transpired should give Witton’s supporters a sliver of hope.

Their players, low on confidence, were high on resilience.

In fact, their football was better than that served up by sloppy Linnets who too often misplaced, or under-hit, simple passes.

Neil Harvey, alone in attack with Alex Titchiner starting from a deeper position, almost levelled from the restart only for goalkeeper Alex Street to smother his shot on the turn.

This time, unlike on the previous three Saturdays, there was to be no cowardly capitulation.

Teenage custodian Ryan Swift played a significant part for the visitors, producing the first of a hat-trick of stunning saves when he blocked Mulready’s bullet header midway through the half.

Albion ought to have levelled on 29 minutes.

Danny Andrews’ disguised pass split the hosts’ defence to send Titchiner, who timed his run perfectly, clear on goal.

With only Street to beat, he fired too close to Linnets’ number one.

That duo combined in another stylish move shortly afterwards, only for a defender to divert Harvey’s attempt.

King’s Lynn, laboured in open play, posed a bigger threat when Bell was able to send a dead ball into Albion’s penalty area.

On one such occasion, Swift parried Michael Frew’s goal-bound effort.

Witton, understandably after a run of reverses, remain brittle.

They shipped a second goal in the moments after half time, this time when Zac Corbett played a risky pass.

Jackson Ramm read his intention, pinching possession from Josh Hancock to start a counter that ended with another merciless Mulready finish.

Witton, urged on by Sullivan and with Titchiner pushed forward alongside substitute Scott Bakkor, continued to give it ago.

Tichiner spun into space, but drilled low into the side netting.

The hosts, as in the first half, looked likely to score from every set play.

Bell’s next corner dropped kindly for replacement David Bridges, but Swift was quick to block.

From the next flag kick, Frew fired straight at an upright guarded by Cliff Moyo.

King’s Lynn, after back-to-back defeats, protected their two-goal lead in relative comfort for the remainder.

Sullivan said afterwards that his ‘to do’ list is a long one.

But, after a rotten run made up of meek surrenders, his side has made a small – but significant – step a direction towards recovery.

King’s Lynn (4-4-2) Street (GK), Ramm, Watson (Ward 80), Eze, Yong, Spriggs (Stocker 78), Bell, Thomson, Jones (Bridges 56), Mulready, Frew Subs not used Pearson (GK), Frohawk Goals Mulready 4, 50 Booked Mulready (kicking ball away), Spriggs, Frew (all fouls)

Witton (4-5-1) Swift (GK), Moyo, Harrison (Blake 85), Corbett, Lea, Andrews, Davidson, Powell, Titchiner, Hancock (Dawson 68), Harvey (Bakkor 58) Sub not used Koral Booked Hancock (foul)