CARL Macauley has said Witton remain on course to establish themselves among the Northern Premier League’s leading teams after their draw with Ashton United.

Albion recovered from an early when captain Mark Lees scored for the visitors, and levelled a minute later through Steven Tames.

They could not find a way to breach again a disciplined defence though after Lanre Olapade was sent off for the Robins before the break.

“I’m happy. I don’t see it is a missed opportunity,” said Macauley afterwards.

“There are times when playing against 10 men makes a task more difficult, and I’m content we did all we could.

“We created more chances then they did, and their goalkeeper was busier than ours.

“What was missing was that rub of the green that occasionally you need.

“Had we got our noses in front at 2-1, then I think we’d have gone from there to win.

“We just fell short though.”

It leaves his side ninth in the Premier Division table, five points adrift of a promotion play-offs place.

They still have 17 games left too.

Macauley added: “We’re right in amongst it, and with that in mind it’s a positive result.

“We’ve mixed it again with one of the best teams in the division, just like we have done against Shaw Lane, Warrington and Altrincham in the past month or so.

“To me, that shows how well we’ve done – and don’t forget how many players we still have missing due to injury.

“We’ve been short on numbers, and lads haven’t been able to rest.

“Despite that I felt our energy levels were good and we kept our foot on the pedal after half-time.

“We kept going too, and made them work hard to keep us out.

“Their goalkeeper has made one or two very good saves low down as well.”