WITTON can consider this as character-forming, certainly a point gained.

As they had been in midweek, Albion were resilient when it seemed their cause was at risk of being lost.

Tony Sullivan’s men trailed by two goals, deservedly it must be said, at the break after a strangely insipid start.

An initial flicker, when Jamie Rainford’s attempt to sneak a shot inside the far post was thwarted by visiting goalkeeper Liam Castle’s smart save, never became anything more substantive.

Barwell, bruised by four defeats from their past five matches away from home, instead took charge.

Albion custodian Andy Robertson tipped over Jamie Towers’ header, though he was powerless to prevent Danny Jenno’s skidding finish from flashing past him on 28 minutes from Malcom Melvin’s corner.

Danny Andrews’ attempt was uncharacteristically wild after he wriggled into a shooting space at the other end.

Alex Tomkinson, able to run behind the hosts’ high backline after it was bisected by a straight pass, was rather more composed when scooping a stylish second for Barwell into the corner.

Worse was to follow for Witton when debutant Andy Fowler, signed on Friday from Droylsden, left the pitch on a stretcher following a hefty tackle by Jenno inside the penalty area.

Sullivan gambled, sending on new recruits Jake Parker – a midfielder – and front man Lucas Molina, a goal-scorer for Marshalls in the West Cheshire League’s second tier only seven days earlier.

The latter, a more imposing physical threat, unsettled Barwell’s previously unoccupied defenders instantly, flicking a high ball into Andrews’ path for the winger to slot in a 13th goal of the campaign after an hour.

An equaliser followed seven minutes later.

Alex Titchiner, who had replaced Fowler, held up another ball tamed by Molina before prodding it into Luke Clark’s path.

The midfielder’s sweetly-struck shot arrowed past Castle at speed.

The Canaries’ custodian diverted Liam Goulding’s header to safety, then Titchiner blasted into the side-netting after Andrews had turned provider.

Witton, through sheer will and bloody-mindedness if not flowing football, had wrestled control of the contest for the first time.

They were served a reminder of the game’s precarious position though when Jamie Hood blazed high before breathing a sigh of relief when substitute Jack Colley sliced off-target after a ricochet rolled conveniently his way.

There was less luck about Robertson’s penalty save with five minutes to go, Witton’s net-minder saving Towers’ spot kick to his left after Jon Dawson had clumsily taken out Melvin.

Albion had cause to be rueful as well, their best move of the match ending with Andrews squaring for Clark in stoppage time.

But with seconds to steady himself, he shot too close to Castle who blocked with a boot.

Witton return to the table’s drop zone for the first time since before Christmas but Sullivan, relieved afterwards to discover Fowler’s injury is not as serious as first feared, had seen enough to be encouraged.

He had bet on Molina, with a draw as dividend.

Witton (3-5-2) Robertson (GK), Barnes, Goulding, Corbett, Gardner, Roddan (Parker 56), Clark, Andrews, Dawson, Rainford (Molina 54), Fowler (Titchiner 44) Subs not used Swift (GK), Joe Shaw Goals Andrews 59, Clark 66 Booked Robertson (foul)

Barwell (4-5-1) Castle (GK), Lower, Hood, Jenno, Nisevic, Melvin, Lavery, Tomkinson, Woodward (Julien 71), Gaunt (Colley 79), Jamie Towers Subs not used Carney, Brehon, Hadland Goals Jenno 28, Tomkinson 39 Booked Lower, Jenno (both fouls)

Referee Peter Gooch

Attendance 297