RARELY far from thrilling, and always breathless, this must rank as one of Witton’s most notable victories of the season.

Albion clinched a date with former Football Conference foes Kettering in the next round after outscoring opponents as committed to all-out attack as they were.

In the final reckoning, the teams were separated by the standard of their shooting.

However the outcome was only settled with eight minutes left when Rob Hopley, after steadying himself with a first touch, swept Steven Tames’ cross into the net with his second.

Tom Owens’ attempt hit the inside of an upright shortly afterwards, but a wider margin of victory would have been flattering.

Carl Macauley’s men played at a tempo that plays to their strengths, although they may have been surprised that Bay – who fielded four front players – were ready to match it.

Michael Wilson’s sweetly-struck volley, after Hopley had flicked Paul Williams’ corner towards the back post, put the hosts ahead in the seventh minute.

Their guests were level within seconds when Gary Burnett finished tidily after finding space inside Albion’s penalty area.

Brad Bauress drilled narrowly wide, then Tames jabbed an effort against a post after a slick combination with Prince Haywood on Witton’s right flank.

The seconds in the build-up to the home team’s second goal summed up the contest perfectly.

Their crossbar was still quivering from Burnett’s curled attempt by the time Tames, following a counter, nudged the ball between Tom Hardwick’s legs before directing it past goalkeeper Shaun Pearson.

The visitors’ custodian reacted smartly to divert Williams’ drive low to his left, then Bay fluffed a sitter.

There appeared to be little danger when Anthony Gardner stretched to intercept a through-ball, only to deflect it into Scott Bakkor’s path.

However Danny Roberts smothered the former Witton man’s shot.

Pearson was decisive twice more before the break, using his fingertips to prevent Owens’ drive flying in then changing direction to turn away Williams’ free kick.

The start of the second period was inevitably subdued in comparison, sparking to life only after Danny Andrews’ shot lacked the power to trouble Roberts.

Bay missed a glorious chance to equalise on 67 minutes when Will Jones skewed horribly off-target after Burnett had been alert to intercept Wilson’s back-pass.

They did not get as good an opportunity again.

Jones did find the net when Louis Corrigan fizzed a cross into his path, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.

Bauress arced a free kick wide at the other end before Hopley, after Tames had made forward progress on the left, landed a knockout blow with his 11th goal of the season.

It lands his side £2,700 in prize money, but is worth more in terms of Albion’s emergence as a force to be reckoned with.

Witton | 4-4-2 | Roberts (GK), Gardner, Benjamin, Wilson, Devine, Haywood, Owens, Williams, Bauress, Tames (Omotola 85), Hopley Subs not used Garner (GK), Noon, Hickman, Reeves Goals Wilson 7, Tames 20, Hopley 82 Booked Haywood (foul)

Colwyn Bay | 4-4-2 | Pearson (GK), Denson, Grant, Hardwick, Corrigan, Andrews (Pino 85), Armstrong (Booth 83), Bakkor, Schofield, Burnett, Jones Subs not used Wolland (GK), Turner, Dowling Goal Burnett 9 Booked Bakkor (simulation), Hardwick (foul)

Referee Kristian Silcock

Attendance 257