UNTIL substitute Jamie Harrison settled the outcome in stoppage time, there remained a chance – however slim – that Witton’s play-offs party would have to be postponed.

By then Albion, despite Michael Powell’s dismissal for talking out of turn to a linesman, had with minimum fuss manoeuvred into a winning position.

That lead was slender in a match short on much to shout about though Frickley, regular conquerors of Witton in this fixture, were feeble in attack.

Once Harrison steered in Danny Andrews’ assist, the visitors’ position in the table’s top five was secure.

So was a fourth successive away win, their best run of results on the road in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League’s top tier since this time in 2006.

They can now contemplate a second successive promotion since Brian Pritchard took over as manager.

His team’s task was uncomplicated; three points on this pitch meant minds need not wander to football fields far away, nor on having to beat Rushall in seven days’ time.

A goal almost arrived inside two minutes, top scorer Shaun Tuck’s attempt scraping the far post after he had scampered clear of Frickley’s inattentive backline.

Goalkeeper Matt Cooper was made to save at the other end, blocking Lee Stratford’s shot after the full back had found a space from which to shoot inside the area.

Witton broke through on the half hour, when Oliver James picked a Blues’ player’s pocket in midfield before moving the ball into Andrews’ path.

The winger’s first touch took him past Terry Barwick, his next a floated cross to the back post where Steve Foster sent an emphatic header past a defender on the goalline.

There was a sense, in the celebrations that followed, that Witton – in a swirling wind – would not be blown of course from that moment on.

Andrews almost added another, his free kick fumbled around an upright by net-minder Jamie Green.

Cooper caught Luke Hinsley’s header after half time, but Albion did not suffer sustained pressure.

Nor did they perhaps expect to, for Frickley’s current form – no win in their previous six games – is the worst in the Premier Division.

Blues midfielder Jake Picton’s burst put him in a position from which to shoot, which he did wildly and without direction.

At the other end, Joe Shaw’s driven attempt flashed narrowly over after Foster had found a route to the byline on Witton’s left hand side.

Powell’s early exit might have planted a seed of doubt, but a swish of Harrison’s right boot – after Andrews had been unselfish to slide the ball into his teammate’s path – did not let it grow.

Instead Albion have win number 250 away from home since joining the Northern Premier League.

How they would dearly love now for promotion to the Football Conference to deny them the chance to add to that tally any time soon.

Witton Star Man: Oliver James. Helped Witton to control the match with enough authority to reach their objective. His was a decisive contribution to the first goal, an intervention in midfield leading to Danny Andrews raiding from the left with an assist for Steve Foster.

Frickley (4-4-2) Green (GK), Barwick, Liburd, Jeffs, Stratford, Howarth (Davies 69), Picton, Bloor, Hinsley, Wootton (Fennell 77), Chris Wood. Subs not used Levers (GK), Ghaichem.

Witton (4-4-2) Cooper (GK), Sheehan, Ben Harrison, Joseph, Mathew Wood, Shaw, James (Jamie Harrison 70), Powell, Andrews, Tuck (Oswell 66), Foster. Subs not used Plant (GK), Horne, Moseley. Goals Foster 31, Jamie Harrison 90. Sent off Powell (foul and abusive language).

Referee Matt McGrath (Leconfield)
Attendance 226