FOR a side that’s supposed to be tired from a fit-to-burst fixture list, Witton’s stirring finish was an impressive one.

They just about deserved to win, but Belper will feel a tinge of frustration that they were thwarted more than once by goalkeeper Ryan Crump.

The custodian, Albion’s third in as many matches while Danny Roberts continues to convalesce, was beaten only by Jonathan Williams’ brilliant free kick.

He was equal to everything else the Nailers threw his way, including a crucial save with his fingertips to divert Reuben Wiggins-Thomas’ angled attempt on the hour.

The hosts would have trailed had the front man’s shot found the far corner.

Instead, jolted too by the introduction as substitutes of Tolani Omotola and Paul Williams, it paved the way for their best spell of the contest.

By the end, they looked more likely to win 3-1 than their guests were to level.

This, though, was a hard-fought win, if different in manner to Saturday’s slender victory against Bedworth.

Their weekend opponents were limited in ambition, content to draw.

Not so Belper, who were buoyed by the knowledge they outplayed Carl Macauley’s side back in October.

The visitors survived an early scare when full-back Dominic Allen smuggled Rob Hopley’s header off the line from Bradley Bauress’ corner after quarter of an hour.

Williams’ arcing free-kick prompted Crump to parry smartly midway through the opening period, then the former Southport custodian diverted Evan Garnett’s shot around an upright after the forward had escaped the attention of Scott Lycett.

Albion were ruthless in response, taking the lead when Bauress drilled with unerring accuracy into the bottom corner.

With next to no back-lift, his left-footed effort was in the net before goalkeeper Scott Low could adjust his position.

However Williams swerved a beauty of a set piece past a flailing Crump to restore parity almost immediately.

Witton, playing in fits and starts and with Prince Haywood as a catalyst for their more promising moments, nearly nicked an unworthy interval lead when Tom Owens curved wide after Steven Tames nudged a pass into his path.

Their defenders patted Crump on the back again when he blocked Matt Richards’ rising drive at the start of the second period.

Bauress and Haywood both missed the target speculative attempts in response before the tall net-minder adjusted his feet to save low to his right when Wiggins-Thomas wriggled into a shooting space.

Paul Williams’ introduction proved decisive in wrestling back control in the middle of the field, where Albion were suffering most, and they did not look back.

Lycett jabbed wide and Hopley headed high before Omotola, who made an impact at the weekend with another cameo, reacted instinctively to force Hopley’s flick-on over the line from Anthony Gardner’s long throw.

Low then had to launch himself to steer clear Williams’ driven free kick.

A two-goal deficit would have been harsh on Belper, who lacked the killer instinct shown by their hosts.

After five wins from six matches since slumping at Market Drayton last month – all but one by a single-goal margin – it’s serving Witton well.

Witton | 4-4-2 | Crump (GK), Gardner, Brown, Lycett, Wilson, Reynolds (Omotola 57), Haywood, Owens, Bauress, Hopley, Tames (Paul Williams 67) Subs not used Hickman, Noon, Hinchliffe Goals Bauress 25, Omotola 78

Belper | 4-4-2 | Low (GK), Allen, Freeman, Watt, Guy, Armstong, Graves, Jonathan Williams, Richards (Goddard 58), Garnett, Wiggins-Thomas Subs not used Birks, Palmer, Butcher, Rathbone Goal Williams 27 Booked Wiggins-Thomas (simulation)

Referee David Croft

Attendance 240