SCOTT Dundas said before kick off that some of his players were struggling to adapt to new surroundings at Witton.

They looked like they would rather be anywhere else by the break following a dysfunctional first half in which Kendal scored three times without reply.

Two late goals didn’t disguise the difference between teams with the same aims this season.

Albion have lost half of their eight games, with three of those – against Lancaster, Glossop and now Kendal – against probable rivals for a play-offs place.

The Cumbrians, already ahead thanks to Craig Carney’s stunning volley from distance, netted twice more in the minutes before half time.

It distorted the score, but the ease with which the visitors found a way through confirmed Dundas’ pre-match doubts.

The Witton boss again picked a team shorn of at least four preferred starters, with Niall Green stationed in midfield alongside Kyle Diskin and Chris Baker.

And despite being dazed by Carney’s ninth-minute opener, struck sweetly from 25 yards after Albion’s defence only part-cleared Aaron Helliwell’s free kick, they might have levelled during the spell that followed.

Alex Titchiner prodded over, then Kendal custodian Richard Whiteside diverted Ben Mills’ angled drive around an upright with a smart save.

Whiteside was also brave to smother Danny Andrews’ attempt from close range after Anthony Gardner’s cross from the right dropped into the midfielder’s path.

That flurry of momentum then dissipated.

Kendal settled the outcome inside a five-minute, increasing their lead when Jordan Connerton – allowed to turn and shoot after receiving Daniel Wilkins’ pass with his back to goal – drilled in off an upright.

And worse was to follow.

Witton goalkeeper Danny Roberts deflected Dan Forbes’ attempt for a corner after the midfielder ghosted into a shooting position.

However Robbie Williams leapt unopposed from the resulting flag kick to make it 3-0 with a thumping header.

Albion’s players were sent out early for the second period, no doubt asked to prove a point if rescuing one was too big an ask.

They breathed a sigh of relief when Connerton, with the goal at his mercy, steered a diving header wide of the target from Rob Wilson’s set piece.

Within a minute, Chris Baker’s rasping drive crashed back off the crossbar at the other end with Whiteside an admiring spectator.

It was not a catalyst though.

Dundas responded by sending on attacking trio Lee Cropper, Joel Brownhill and Dominic Marie – the latter two for their first appearance in red and white.

But Kendal were next to go close, when Wilkins shot wastefully after a dazzling dribble.

Witton did break through with five minutes left, Andrews rolling past Whiteside after Diskin’s pass had dissected the visitors’ defence.

And Marie was swift to react in stoppage time when the ball struck an upright, smuggling over the line to make it 3-2.

“The players owe the fans a performance,” reflected Wayne Brotherton, Albion’s assistant manager, afterwards.

With an FA Cup tie at FC United of Manchester scheduled for next Saturday, it would be timely to produce one.

Witton | 4-3-1-2 | Danny Roberts (GK), Gardner, Bainbridge, Chadwick, Diskin, Dawson, Green, Baker (Brownhill 76), Andrews, Titchiner (Cropper 76), Mills (Marie 61) Subs not used Warburton, Lycett Goals Andrews 85, Marie 90 (+3) Booked Diskin (foul)

Kendal | 4-4-2| Whiteside (GK), Aspin, Williams, Smalley, Henry (Watson 86), Carney, Wilson (Clark 69), Helliwell, Forbes (Thomas 76), Connerton, Wilkins Sub not used Kitchen (GK) Goals Carney 9, Connerton 40, Williams 45

Referee Michael Crusham

Attendance 289