IT was perhaps not an ending that reflected the plot played out on the pitch, yet a swish of Danny Andrews’ left boot settled a story started two weeks ago.

Witton, at last, are through.

They made it by stuttering past FC United of Manchester’s nine men, whose endeavour – and audacity to attack when most teams would have retreated – made their numerical disadvantage a mirage.

Hampered already by Michael Norton’s dismissal in the first half, a red card for Lee Neville as punishment for a dangerous tackle on Anthony Sheehan ought to have ushered in a meek conclusion to a saga with chapters on rain, referees and replayed replays.

That, and Albion were winning 1-0.

The Rebels, true to their name, defied such an expectation.

Spurred by Astley Mulholland’s flight of foot, they gambled on attack. It certainly surprised Witton.

Substitute Tom Greaves deservedly drew his side level with 20 minutes to go, sprinting clear of Ben Harrison before slithering the ball through standing water and, just, over the line.

Realising that extra time against opponents with more men might prove too big a challenge, they went for a winner.

And yet with momentum, it’s a choice that made sense.

They got lucky too; goalkeeper Jon Worsnop saving superbly twice within the space of 60 seconds to deny first Josh Hancock and then Neville Thompson.

Mulholland then motored – with finesse though, not force – into space behind Witton’s defence at the other end to tee up Greaves who forced custodian Matt Cooper to scramble low to parry.

Face-to-face again with five minutes left, Albion’s net-minder contorted this body reach with his fingertips a drive from Greaves directed towards the bottom corner.

That was as much a match-winner as Andrews’ magic moment at the other end, which followed when Witton next attacked.

It felt hard to fathom how the encounter could be close with such a mismatch in numbers, but it was.

FC United were suckered at the start of the game too, though they could blame only themselves.

Greg Daniels’ miss made no sense in the sixth minute; when Norton scooped a cross to the back post, the midfielder headed so feebly that Harrison had time to scramble clear.

Cooper, swift from his line, got enough of a touch to send Matthew Wolfenden’s shot to safety shortly afterwards.

When Josh Hancock curved a free kick against the crossbar, it woke up Witton.

They broke through on 17 minutes, Thompson applying the final touch after Kyle Wilson headed goal-wards Andrews’ clipped centre.

Norton’s nonsensical exit followed, sent off for tilting his head towards an opponent in protest at a foul being given for Dave Birch’s clumsy tackle on Thompson.

Neville was next to be shown a red card, charged with tackling uncontrollably early in the second half.

Hancock and Thompson combined to serve Wilson, the former FC United man sending his shot too close to a retreating Charlie Raglan on the goal-line.

Witton then wilted. Well, until Andrews’ moment of magic anyway.

Witton Star Man: Matt Cooper. Made saves at both the start and the end of the contest – when FC United were attacking with vigour – to keep his team in it.

Contorted his body to divert with the ends of his fingers substitute Tom Greaves’ drive in the closing stages. Just seconds later, Danny Andrews swerved in the game’s decisive goal.

Witton (4-4-2) Cooper (GK), Brown, Harrison, Powell, Joseph, Andrews, Breeze, Sheehan (Moyo 62), Hancock, Wilson, Thompson (Dawson 86) Subs not used Plant (GK), Purcell, Moseley Goals Thompson 17 Andrews 87 Booked Powell (retaliation)

FC United (4-2-3-1) Worsnop (GK), Brownhill (Pearson 60), Davies, Raglan, Neville, Stott (Greaves 54), Birch, Wolfenden, Daniels (Walwyn 69), Mulholland, Norton Subs not used Byrne, Rodriguez Goal Greaves 70 Booked Mulholland (dissent), Birch (foul) Sent off Norton (violent conduct), Neville (foul)

Referee Gareth Mellor (West Riding)
Attendance 369