SCARBOROUGH have rather less reason to savour a second sojourn to Northwich inside four days.

They beat Vics on Wednesday after scoring in little more than 60 seconds, then lost against Albion from the last kick of a close contest.

Witton, if only just, deserved a victory that ends a five-match sequence since the previous one.

The game was heading for a stalemate until Danny Andrews improvised a pass with his heel to an overlapping Anthony Gardner in added time.

Panicked, Boro’s back-tracking Niall Flint tripped the home team’s captain.

Andrews drilled the resulting spot kick with force past goalkeeper Nick Draper, increasing his goal-tally for the campaign to 21.

This latest one gives pep to a season that was in danger of petering out.

A top 10 place remains a reachable target, one that will make fleeting fears of being relegated – which felt real before Carl Macauley was appointed in October – a distant memory.

With Danny Roberts back between the posts, following a non-playing stint with Glossop, and Chris Noone making his first start as a sentinel in front of a back four that has appeared flimsy in recent weeks, Witton’s core felt strengthened.

Carl Peers and Tom Schofield were able to follow their instinct to move forward, although Rob Hopley often cut an isolated figure in Albion’s attack.

The game’s best chances still fell the front man’s way.

He ought to have done better than head over the bar when meeting Andrews’ corner after quarter of an hour.

Tom Corner, Boro’s match-winner in midweek, was similarly wasteful when driving high after wriggling away from Toby Mullarkey.

Peers nudged wide Schofield’s cross, while Albion debutant Jeff King skidded an effort past the near upright.

Hopley spurned another opportunity in the second period, lifting his shot off-target with only Draper blocking his path to goal.

Peers’ contact was slight when he reached Schofield’s flag kick before his marker, allowing Dave Merris to smuggle the ball off Scarborough’s goal-line.

The visitors’ most sustained period of attacking pressure followed in the final quarter of an hour.

They were upset that Glenn Matthews’ goal was ruled out after referee Dean Watson spotted a push on Roberts, while substitute Callum Robinson was unlucky when his shot on the turn was deflected for a corner.

Jamie Forrester then steered too close to Roberts when he had a clear sight of the target in injury time.

Witton scored when they attacked next.

Andrews, back to goal, timed perfectly his assist for a marauding Gardner who did not need to break stride.

Caught out, Flint tripped him.

It proved the difference between a draw and a defeat.

Witton | 4-5-1 | Roberts (GK), Gardner, Mullarkey, Wilson, Dawson, Andrews, Noone (Titchiner 77), Schofield, Peers (Owens 87), King, Hopley Subs not used Garner (GK), Parker, Newton Goal Andrews 90 (+4) (penalty)

Boro | 4-4-2 | Draper (GK), McNamee, Lisles, Mallory, Merris, Flint, Birch, Forrester, Matthews (Robson 79), Blott (Robinson 79), Corner (Peat 84) Subs not used Holden, Lamplough Booked Matthews (foul)

Referee Dean Watson

Attendance 304