CARL Macauley said Witton Albion’s winner in stoppage time against Scarborough Athletics on Saturday was a reward for their persistence.

Danny Andrews converted a penalty with the last kick of the contest to end a five-match sequence without a victory.

“We urged the lads to keep on pushing, not to stop until something drops our way,” said Macauley afterwards.

“On this occasion, that happened in the 93rd minute – sometimes you have to wait that long.”

Boro had won three of their previous four league games, including a 1-0 win on the same pitch against Northwich Victoria in midweek.

That makes them a scalp, according to the former Marine manager.

He added: “For us to beat them, and stop them scoring, is a boost to our confidence.

“We needed to bounce back after losing our past two games, and the players wanted three points.

“Danny has delivered a bit of magic to get them – the weight of his pass before their player fouled Anthony Gardner was brilliant.

“It was definitely a penalty, and I’m made up Danny has scored from it.

“We had good chances, certainly more than they did.”

After conceding 11 goals in the past five games, a clean sheet is significant too.

Goalkeeper Danny Roberts, who returned to Wincham Park this week following a spell with First Division North rivals Glossop, was back between the posts.

Chris Noone also made his full debut in front of Albion’s defence after a handful of substitute appearances since switching from Colwyn Bay.

Macauley said: “They both made us more solid, and that helped the players around them feel a lot better.”

Farsley Celtic are in town on Tuesday, kick off 7.45pm.