FOR Witton, an unfamiliar feeling.

Albion had lost four of their five previous FA Cup ties, including falls at the first hurdle in the past two years.

However in Scott Dundas, who guided Norton United to five victories in last season’s edition alone, they have a manager who knows how to succeed in this competition.

“Luck, and quite a bit of it,” he replied when asked what the secret is.

He was being modest.

In truth, his side did not need fortune to favour them against an unexpectedly toothless Trafford.

After all, Tom Baker’s team had scored eight times without reply past Prescot in midweek.

However goals from Lee Cropper and Chris Baker put this tie beyond their reach and, despite Ben Deegan’s opportunist strike halving the hosts’ arrears, they did not give the impression they felt a comeback was possible.

Dundas said: “It was a bit nervy after they scored, particularly as you don’t want to throw away the good work you’ve done to get in a position to progress.

“But we came through that. I felt we deserved to win if I’m honest.”

Witton were give a leg-up by charitable opponents, just as they had been by Ossett Albion on the campaign’s opening day.

There appeared to be no danger when Mark Haslam shaped to nod the ball back towards goalkeeper Luke Pilling in the 27th minute.

However the Trafford full-back’s connection was weak, allowing Cropper – closing in hoping for an error – to flummox the custodian by flicking a cute finish over his shoulder.

Pilling had won their first duel moments earlier, smothering bravely after Cropper ghosted on to Gary Roberts’ perfectly-weighted pass.

The home team did not prompt Danny Roberts to make a save at the other end until three minutes before the break.

Ryan Ledson, after a free kick was deflected his way, was denied when the Albion goalkeeper parried.

However Chris McDonagh, who claimed five of Trafford’s total on Tuesday, could not control a close-range header from the rebound.

Baker, along with assistant Chris Denham, emerged early from the dressing room during the interval, leaving his players inside.

However any plot they had come up with was spoiled inside two minutes.

Albion doubled their lead with a stylish second goal, Chris Baker leaping higher than Haslam to meet Anthony Gardner’s cross with a flawlessly-timed header.

Trafford ought to have replied instantly but Deegan, after brushing aside Darren Chadwick, dithered too long and Gardner cleared his driven cross.

The front man’s header was neatly diverted to safety by Roberts on 63 minutes, an intervention he followed with a smarter stop shortly afterwards.

This time Jack Dorney bamboozled Niall Green before clipping a cross onto McDonagh’s head, only for Roberts to react swiftly to tip it clear.

More a squall than a storm, but Witton weathered it anyway.

They were worried, if only briefly, when Deegan diverted McDonagh’s shot past Roberts with time running out.

But there was to be no FA Cup faux pas this time.

Trafford | 4-3-1-2 | Pilling (GK), Haslam, Granite, Ledson, Lambert, Rick, Hadfield (Pritchard 79), Reece (Shaw 50), Dorney, Deegan, McDonagh Subs not used Palmer, Lafferty, Caldecott, Kay, Denham Goal Deegan 87

Witton | 4-5-1 | Danny Roberts (GK), Gardner (Dawson 84), Lycett, Chadwick, Green, Baker, Gary Roberts (Diskin 75), Beaumont, Andrews, Titchiner, Cropper (Mills 69) Subs not used Hull (GK), Warburton, Smith Goals Cropper 27, Baker 47 Booked Gary Roberts, Baker (both fouls)

Referee David Fisher (Longridge)

Attendance 259