WITTON Albion won a third successive friendly, though the margin was a narrow one following Craig Mahon’s wonder goal for Chester with five minutes left.

The visitors’ wide man, after collecting Kieran Charnock’s clipped pass in a pocket of space in front of the home team’s retreating back four, rifled in a delicious dipping drive from distance off the crossbar.

Brian Pritchard’s men protected their advantage, established by first half strikes by Danny Andrews and new recruit Neil Harvey, to beat opponents from non-league’s top flight for a second Saturday.

They were perhaps not as fluent as when they tore into Telford, but their defence passed with relative comfort what examination Chester’s attackers could muster.

Goalkeeper Chris Sanna was called into action to parry John Rooney’s swerving free kick during the early exchanges, but their Cheshire neighbours’ domination of possession rarely led to a meaningful attempt at goal.

Instead Danny Andrews delivered an opening goal at the other end on 19 minutes, spearing a rising shot into the top corner that flashed past ex-Witton custodian Jon Worsnop before he reacted.

Iain Howard’s attempted chip almost rewarded him with a goal against his former club, while at the other end Rooney’s looped cross needed only the faintest of decisive touches after Sanna had punched weakly.

Albion doubled their lead on 34 minutes, Howard steering a pass that bisected Chester’s defence into Scott Bakkor’s path before he turned provider for Harvey.

With time to steady himself, the front man thundered an unstoppable shot high into the net.

In the second half, Kingsley James’ low, goal-bound effort was blocked by Sam Barnes and substitute Craig Hobson skidded a header wide from Mahon’s cross.

Gareth Roberts was next to be denied by a defender’s deflection, while at the other end Howard skewed wide.

Sanna scooped Kieran Murtagh’s free kick to safety, then saved smartly when substitute Peter Winn drilled a fierce shot in his direction.

Mahon’s moment of magic did beat the former Colwyn Bay net-minder, but it was not enough to prevent Chester from losing for the first time during their pre-season preparation.

Witton (4-4-2) Sanna (GK), Gardner, Barnes, Harrison (Trialist 56), Moyo, Andrews (Dawson 67), Davidson (Trialist 67), Powell (Sheehan 78), Howard, Harvey (Rutter 74), Bakkor (Trialist 67) Goals Andrews 19, Harvey 34

Chester (4-2-3-1) Worsnop (GK) (Hall (GK) 46), Disney (Taylor 46), Brown, Charnock, Roberts, Mahon, James (Dixon 62), Rooney (Winn 62), Menagh, McConville (Hobson 46), Iwelumo (Riley 62) Goal Mahon 85

Attendance 337