Witton Albion 1 Spennymoor Town 2

WITTON improved, but the outcome was the same – another defeat that leaves them drifting further from the table’s top five.

They deserved better than to be suckered by Chris Mason’s late header, but he could hardly miss considering how feeble the attempt was to stop him.

After three losses in their past four league matches, Albion are slipping in the opposite direction to where they had set out to go.

Witton Albion - fixtures and results

To task new manager Carl Macauley with mounting a challenge for promotion feels fanciful, more so with a side that has been beaten in more than half of their matches.

In a drab first half, they held their own.

Spennymoor, perhaps still smarting from an unexpected reverse in midweek, struggled for rhythm.

They did spring to life on 34 minutes, when Glen Taylor prompted Witton’s teenage custodian Dominic Garner to save smartly after Andrew Stephenson had scooped a cross his way from the left.

But from the resulting corner, Mason smuggled in an opening goal.

Garner blocked with a boot when Taylor flicked an attempt his way with a heel, then Danny Frost’s shot stung his palms after the front man had wriggled clear of Scott Lycett.

Albion’s clearest glimpse of goal fell to Jamie Matthews, but he fired high.

Witton were better after the break, when Danny Andrews ought to have done better than shoot too close to goalkeeper Dan Lowson after intercepting Joe Tait’s misplaced pass.

Gary Roberts fizzed an attempt wide, as did substitute Gavin Cogdon at the other end.

The hosts found a way back into the game on 78 minutes, when Roberts was wrestled to the floor by Tait after the defender misjudged Andrews’ clipped pass.

The Moors’ man was sent off, and Andrews converted confidently from the penalty spot.

Albion might have edged ahead when then next attacked, but Alex Titchiner’s shot flashed the wrong side of an upright.

Instead they suffered a knockout blow at the other end, where Mason was left unmarked to steer in Cogdon’s cross.

Witton (4-4-2) | Garner (GK), Gardner, Lycett, Chadwick, Grayson (Salmon 90), Andrews, Schofield, Gary Roberts, Baker (Powell 68), Titchiner, Matthews (Dawson 79) Subs not used Bainbridge, Brownhill Goal Andrews 78 (penalty)

Moors (4-3-1-2) | Lowson (GK), Griffiths, Tait, Mason, Hoganson, Stephenson, Kerr, Henry, Keithley (Cogdon 63), Taylor, Frost (Risbrough 71) Subs not used Fisher, Capper Goals Mason 34, 89 Booked Keithley, Risbrough, Taylor (all fouls), Tait (dissent) Sent off Tait (foul)

Referee Tim Walker

Attendance 351