WAYNE Brotherton has warned Witton Albion’s players they owe it to the club’s supporters to beat Brighouse Town in midweek.

The assistant manager admitted that Saturday’s home encounter with Kendal had reached a conclusion by the break after the visitors scored three times without reply.

And his side can ill-afford a repeat on Tuesday night.

“It’s a massive game,” he said.

“We want to win, obviously, but it’s important as well to stay close to the teams above us in the table.

“Scott [Dundas] and I will be looking for a response, a big one, because the lads owe us and the fans.

“The game [against Kendal] was over by half time.”

Craig Carney’s stunning ninth-minute volley put the Cumbrians in front at Wincham Park, but Witton then created chances that prompted goalkeeper Richard Whiteside to make two smart saves.

Brotherton said: “We had three or four opportunities to score after going behind.

“We need to be more clinical, because we were then punished at the other end.

“The second and third goals were poor from a defensive point of view; first we allowed the striker to turn too easily, then we allow a big defender to have a free header – he’s not going to miss that is he?

“We were looking for a reaction after that, and went more direct hoping to keep the ball in their half of the pitch.

“I guess you could say we won the second half, but by then the damage was already done.”

To read a report on Saturday's game, click here: http://bit.ly/1Ktk8ON