FIVE games, five wins – it’s been a flawless start to the season by Witton Albion.

And that doesn’t happen often.

This is now their best beginning to a league campaign since 1981, a feat that sees them reach the end of August as pacesetters in Division One South.

Their rivals have reason to be worried.

Five of the starting line-up for Monday’s success against Market Drayton were signed this summer.

A sixth, Ryan Hickman, made only one start last term.

This is a group still getting used to each other, and how manager Carl Macauley wants them to play.

But they’re collecting points while doing so.

Not everything is perfect, of course.

Market Drayton became the first side to take the lead against Albion this term when Aiden Haughton scampered clear of sleepy defenders to steer in an opening goal after three minutes.

And it took time for Witton to rise from their slumber.

When they did they found the visitors’ goalkeeper, Ashley Rawlins, in inspired form.

Dressed in luminous yellow, it was hard to miss him.

Indeed, he became a one-man target for most of the home team’s efforts at goal.

Rawlins twice denied Rob Hopley either side of diving low to block Toloni Omotola’s drive.

His most significant contribution arrived five minutes before the break, when he stretched fully to parry Prince Haywood’s disappointing spot kick after Alex Hedley had sent Omotola sprawling inside the penalty area.

Luck was on the Market Drayton custodian’s side too when he spilled another Omotola effort onto an upright.

There was a sense Witton could get better, and they did after the interval.

Hopley could not make contact when Brad Bauress nodded Tom Owens’ cross in his direction, then Rawlins tipped over the latter’s rising shot.

He was brilliant to block Hopley’s next effort with a boot, and again to help over Omotola’s attempt after he raced clear.

An equaliser felt inevitable when it arrived, Bauress converting a penalty after a defender had tripped Owens.

Haywood blasted high and substitute Karl Noon sliced over from close range as Albion sought a lead.

They need good fortune to get there, replacement Jeff Watkins diverting Haywood's low cross into his own net after the midfielder was sent into space by Anthony Brown’s pass.

Michael Wilson’s header from a Bauress corner skimmed the crossbar before Omotola added gloss.

Hopley nudged a ball his strike partner’s way, and he scorched away from retreating back-markers before finishing so smartly even Rawlins could not intervene.

In 1981, Albion exited the FA Cup at the first qualifying round stage.

That’s where the current version turns its attention this weekend, when higher-ranked – and equally in-form – Buxton are the visitors Wincham Park.

Witton | 4-4-2 | Roberts (GK), Gardner, Brown, Wilson, Devine, Haywood, Hickman (Noon 46), Owens, Bauress, Hopley, Omotola Subs not used Garner (GK), Benjamin, Arnold, Williams Goals Bauress 61 (penalty), Watkins 81 (own goal), Omotola 89 Booked Hickman (dissent)

Market Drayton | 4-4-2 | Rawlins (GK), Green, O’Neill, Campbell, McMullen, Hedley (Watkins 65), Bennett-Tindall (James 68), Whieldon, Haughton (Walker 75), Ryan, Whittingham Subs not used Porter, Davis Goal Haughton 3 Booked Whieldon, Hedley (both fouls)

Referee Richard Abson

Attendance 287